tihravy  of  Che  theological  ^tmxn<^vy 

PRINCETON  .  NEW  JERSEY 


•>»  <«• 


FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
REVEREND  JESSE  HALSEY,  D.D. 

BX  5947  .B8  B55  1896 

A  book  of  offices  and 
prayers  for  Priest  and 


V 


N^: 


f^^^P"*^^ 


A  Book 
of  Offices 
and  Prayers 

For  Priest  and  People 
Compiled  by 
Two  Presbyters 
of  the  Church 


\ 


CKoir"        (iorris  A)M 


NEW   YORK: 
JAMES    POTT    &    CO. 

i8g6. 


~^ 


Copyright  by 

JAMES   POTT   &   CO. 

1896. 


CONTENTS. 


THE  PASTOR'S  PRAYERS 

for  Himself  and  His  People,            .         .  i 
OFFICES  FROM     THE  BOOK    OF  COM- 
MON    PRAYER 

The  Baptismal  Offices,      ....  9 

The  Solemnization  of  Matrimony,            .  23 

The  Visitation  of  the  Sick,       ...  27 

The  Communion  of  the  Sick,            .         .  34 

The  Burial  of  the  Dead,    .         ,         .         .  45 

The  Burial  of  Children,          ...  52 
THE  COLLECTS 

for  the  Christian  Year,      ....  59 

Other  Collects  from  the  Prayer  Book,    .  82 

Benedictions,      , 85 

PRAYERS 

for  Children  and  Sunday  Schools,   .         .  86 

for  Sunday  School  Teachers,            .         .  92 

for  Bible  Classes,       .....  94 

for  Persons  preparing  for  Confirmation,  96 

in  preparation  for  Holy  Communion,      .  97 

for  Church  Workers,  Guilds,  etc.              .  102 

Family  Prayers  from  the  Prayer  Book,  .  iii 
Occasional  Prayers,  in  the  family  and  for 

other  Services,              ....  116 

Intercessions, 129 

for  Missions, 146 

for  the  Sick  and  Dying,     ....  159 

for  those  in  Affliction,        ....  175 
READINGS 

from  the  Bible,            .         .         o         .         .  185 


T^HE  first  intention  of  this  book  is  to  provide 
^     a    collection    of    Prayers    that    shall    supple- 
ment The  Book  of  Common  Prayer  in  the  hands 
of  the  Parish    Priest   in  his  daily  ministrations 
and  occasional  services.     The  collection  contains 
many  Prayers  which  have  approved  themselves 
through  use  in  Parish  work.     Some  of  them  are, 
in  a  sense,  accepted,  in  that  they  are  not  only  of 
ancient    origin,  but  are    also  in  constant  use  in 
many  places.     Others  are  new,  either  in  origin  or 
adaptation.      That   they   should  be  gathered  to- 
gether in  convenient  form    was    the    demand  of 
experience   on  the    part    of    the    editors.     It    is 
believed    that    others    will  welcome  such  a  col- 
lection and  use  it.     The  need  of  supplementing 
the    authorized    forms   of    the    Prayer    Book    is 
more  deeply  felt    each    year,  and   is    giving   oc- 
casion not  only  to   the    growing  use   of  ancient 
liturgical  forms,    but   to    new   liturgical    expres- 
sion.     If  this  book  can  help  forward  in  any  way 
this   movement  within  the  Church,    its   produc- 
tion will  be  doubly  justified.     It  is  believed  that 
it    will  add  to  the  book's  practical  value  that  it 
contains    the    Offices    from    The  Book    of   Com- 
mon   Prayer    and   a    selection    of   readings  from 
the    Bible. 

The  Prayers  are  arranged  to  follow  the  order 
of  the  Christian  life  in  its  relation  to  the  Church, 
and,  while  they  are  primarily  designed  for  the 
Priest,  it  is  hoped  that  they  will  also  be  found 
useful  by  the  people  in  their  family  devotions. 


The  editors  are  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Wm. 
R.  Huntington,  D.D.,  for  kind  co-operation  in 
many  ways,  especially  in  reviewing  and  criticis- 
ing the  proof ;  they  desire  also  to  acknowledge 
the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Thomas  Whittaker  and  of 
Messrs.  E.  P.  Button  &  Co.,  in  allowing  the  use 
of  certain  prayers  from  their  publications.  But 
it  is  not  possible  to  specify,  except  in  one  gen- 
eral word  of  thanks,  the  many  sources  and 
helpers  to  whom  the  gratitude  of  the  compilers 
is  due.  ,  ,'  --jt^" 

CyOVvvv.-         C.  M.  A.^'y 
0^^>A^        J.  W.  S.^lA    . 
Whitsuntide,  1896. 


I 


BELIEVE  in  God  the  Father  Al- 
mighty, Maker  of  heaven  and  earth  : 
And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  only  Son  our 
Lord :  Who  was  conceived  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  Born  of  the  Virgin  Mary  : 
Suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  Was 
crucified,  dead,  and  buried :  He  de- 
scended into  hell ;  The  third  day  he 
rose  again  from  the  dead :  He  as- 
cended into  heaven.  And  sitteth  on 
the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father 
Almighty :  From  thence  he  shall  come 
to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost:  The 
holy  Catholic  Church ;  The  Commun- 
ion of  Saints :  The  Forgiveness  of 
Sins :  The  Resurrection  of  the  body : 
And  the  life  everlasting.     Amen. 


/^UR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hal- 
^^  lowed  be  thy  Name.  Thy  kingdom 
come.  Thy  w^ill  be  done  on  earth.  As 
it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our 
daily  bread.  And  forgive  us  our  tres- 
passes, As  we  forgive  those  who  tres- 
pass against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into 
temptation ;  But  deliver  us  from  evil : 
For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the 
power,  and  the  glory,  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 


THE   PASTOR'S 

PRAYERS   FOR   HIMSELF   AND 

HIS   PEOPLE. 


OLORD  my  God,  I  am  not  worthy  that  thou 
shouldst  come  under  my  roof;  yet  thou 
hast  honoured  thy  servant  with  appointing  him 
to  stand  in  thy  House,  and  to  serve  at  thy  holy 
Altar.  To  thee  and  to  thy  service  I  devote 
myself,  soul,  body,  and  spirit,  with  all  \heir 
powers  and  faculties.  Fill  my  memory  with 
the  words  of  thy  Law ;  enlighten  my  under- 
standing with  the  illumination  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  and  may  all  the  wishes  and  desires  of 
my  will  centre  in  what  thou  hast  commanded. 
And,  to  make  me  instrumental  in  promoting 
the  salvation  of  the  people  now  committed  to 
my  charge,  grant  that  I  may  faithfully  admin- 
ister thy  holy  Sacraments,  and  by  my  life  and 
doctrine  set  forth  thy  true  and  lively  Word. 
Be  ever  with  me  in  the  performance  of  all  the 
duties  of  my  ministry:  in  prayer,  to  quicken 
my  devotion ;  in  praises,  to  heighten  my  love 
and  gratitude ;  and  in  preaching,  to  give  a  read- 
iness of  thought  and  expression  suitable  to  the 
clearness  and  excellency  of  thy  holy  Word. 
Grant  this  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son 
our  Saviour.     Amen. 


MOST  gracious  God,  the  giver  of  all  good 
and  perfect  gifts,  who  of  thy  wise  provi- 
dence hast  appointed  divers  Orders  in  thy 
Church;  Give  thy  grace,  we  beseech  thee,  to 
thy  servant,  to  whom  the  charge  of  this  Con- 
gregation is  now  committed  ;  and  so  replenish 
him  with  the  truth  of  thy  doctrine,  and  endue 
him  with  innocency  of  life,  that  he  may  faith- 
fully serve  before  thee,  to  the  glory  of  thy  great 
Name,  and  the  benefit  of  thy  holy  Church ; 
through  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  Mediator  and 
Redeemer.     Amen. 


PRIVATE    PRAYERS    FOR 


GRANT  to  us,  we  beseech  thee,  Almighty 
God,  that  we  may  so  behave  ourselves  by 
thy  grace  as  to  be  worthy  of  thee,  and  may  af- 
ford to  thy  faithful  people  the  example  of  a 
right  conversation ;  and  that  the  everlasting 
salvation  of  thy  people  may  become  the  reward 
of  the  priest,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


OGOD,  whose  ways  are  all  mercy  and  truth, 
carry  on  thy  gracious  work,  and  bestow,  by 
thy  benefits,  what  human  frailty  cannot  attain ; 
that  we  who  attend  upon  the  heavenly  Mysteries 
may  be  grounded  in  perfect  faith,  and  shine  forth 
conspicuous  by  the  purity  of  our  souls  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  and  Everlasting  God,  the  Source 
and  Perfection  of  all  virtues  ;  grant  us,  we 
beseech  thee,  both  to  do  what  is  right  and  to 
preach  what  is  true ;  that  both  by  action  and 
teaching  we  may  afford  to  thy  faithful  people 
the  instruction  which  is  of  thy  grace ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


O  ETERNAL  God,  who  hast  made  all  things 
for  man,  and  man  for  thy  glory,  sanctify  my 
body  and  soul,  my  thoughts  and  my  intentions, 
my  words  and  actions,  that  whatsoever  I 
shall  think,  or  speak,  or  do,  may  be  by  me  de- 
signed to  the  glorification  of  thy  name,  and  by 
thy  blessing  may  be  effective  and  successful 
in  the  work  of  God,  according  as  it  can  be 
capable.  Lord,  turn  my  necessities  into  virtue, 
the  works  of  nature  into  the  works  of  grace, 
by  making  them  orderly,  regular,  temperate, 
subordinate  and  profitable  to  ends  beyond  their 
proper  efficacy,  and  let  no  pride  or  self-seek- 
ing, no  covetousness  or  revenge,  no  impure 
mixture     or     unhandsome     purposes,     no     little 


PASTOR    AND    PEOPLE. 


ends  and  low  imaginations  pollute  my  spirit 
and  unhallow  any  of  my  words  and  actions ; 
but  let  my  body  be  a  servant  of  my  spirit, 
and  both  body  and  spirit  servants  of  Jesus ; 
that  doing  all  things  for  thy  glory  here,  I  may 
oe  partaker  of  thy  glory  hereafter,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


OGOOD  Shepherd,  who  camest  to  seek  and  i^ 
to  save  that  which  was  lost,  be  with  me  in 
this  my  work.  Strengthen  me  in  my  weakness. 
Give  me  greater  zeal  for  thy  glory ;  greater 
love  for  the  souls  thou  diedst  to  save.  Let  not 
my  sins  or  infirmities  hinder  thy  grace.  Grant 
me  faithfulness  with  tenderness,  and  boldness 
with  meekness.  Teach  me,  that  I  may  teach. 
Comfort  me,  that  I  may  comfort.  Bless  that 
which  I  shall  speak  in  thy  name.  And  have 
mercy  both  upon  the  Pastor  and  upon  the  flock. 
Amen. 


OGOD,  Holy  Ghost,  Sanctifier  of  the  faith- 
ful, visit,  we  pray  thee,  this  Congregation 
with  thy  love  and  favour ;  enlighten  their  minds 
more  and  more  with  the  light  of  the  everlast- 
ing Gospel ;  graft  in  their  hearts  a  love  of  the 
truth ;  increase  in  them  true  religion ;  nourish 
them  with  all  goodness ;  and  of  thy  great  mercy 
keep  them  in  the  same,  O  blessed  Spirit,  whom, 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son  together,  we  wor- 
ship and  glorify  as  one  God,  world  without  end. 
An2en. 


OGOD,  the  Sovereign  Good  of  the  soul,  who 
requirest  the  hearts  of  all  thy  children ; 
deliver  us  from  all  sloth  in  thy  work,  all  cold- 
ness in  thy  cause ;  and  grant  us  by  looking 
unto  thee  to  rekindle  our  love,  and  by  waiting 
upon  thee  to  renew  our  strength ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


PRIVATE    PRAYERS    FOR 


OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  thou  good  Shepherd 
of  the  flock,  mercifully  hear  our  supplica- 
tions, and  grant  unto  this  parish  all  things  that 
are  needful  for  its  spiritual  welfare.  Unite  the 
hearts  of  pastor  and  people  in  love  of  thee, 
and  in  zeal  for  thy  work.  Endue  the  clergy 
with  holiness  and  wisdom ;  strengthen  and  in- 
crease the  faithful ;  visit  and  relieve  the  sick ; 
convert  the  wicked  ;  rouse  the  careless ;  recover 
the  fallen ;  restore  the  penitent ;  remove  all 
hindrances  to  the  advancement  of  thy  truth ; 
and  bring  all  to  be  of  one  heart  and  mind 
within  the  fold  of  thy  holy  Church ;  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  thy  Name,  who  art  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  and  merciful  God,  of  whose 
only  gift  it  cometh  that  thy  faithful  people 
do  unto  thee  true  and  laudable  service ;  take 
from  us  all  our  lukewarmness  and  halfhearted- 
ness.  Stir  up  within  us  more  life  and  zeal  and 
entire  devotion  to  thee.  Give  us  the  spirit 
of  prayer,  without  which  we  cannot  serve  thee 
truly.  Make  us  forward  and  self-denying  in 
good  works.  Make  us  to  care  for  the  eternal 
good  of  others,  that  w^e  may,  each  according  to 
his  power  and  his  calling,  teach  thy  ways  unto 
the  wicked,  and  that  sinners  may  be  converted 
unto  thee.  Build  us  up  more  and  more,  O 
Lord,  in  faith  and  love  and  unity  and  holiness, 
for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  our  only  Lord  and 
Saviour.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  we  beseech  thee  to  hear 
our  prayers  for  such  as  sin  against  thee, 
or  neglect  to  serve  thee,  especially  those  in  this 
parish,  that  thou  wouldest  vouchsafe  to  bestow 
upon  them  true  repentance,  and  an  earnest 
longing  for  thy  service,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


PASTOR    AND    PEOPLE. 


LORD  Jesus,  we  intercede  with  thee  for  the 
conversion  of  all  in  this  parish,  who  are  liv- 
ing in  wilful  sin  and  godlessness.  Turn  them,  O 
Lord,  and  they  shall  be  turned.  Take  from 
them  the  heart  of  stone,  and  give  them  the 
heart  of  flesh.  Rouse  them  to  see  their  peril, 
and  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Hear,  O 
Lord,  our  special  intercession  for  those  near 
and  dear  to  ourselves.  Make  us  also  to  labour 
as  we  pray  and  may  each  one  of  us  be  an  in- 
strument in  the  salvation  of  some  one  soul. 
Hear  us,  O  Saviour,  who  livest  and  reignest 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God, 
evermore.    Amen. 


QFFICES 

FROM   THE 

gOOK   OF   COMMON    PRAYER. 


THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES 

IN    FULL   AND    ARRANGED   FOR  THEIR 
COMBINED    USE. 


The  Minister  coming  to  tJie  Font  (which  is  then  to  be  filled  with 
pure  water)  and  standing  tJiere  sfuill  say, 

Hath    this  Person    [or  this  Child'\    been   already 
baptized,  or   no  ? 


1  If  they  answer,  No  :    then  shall  the   Minister  proceed  as  fol- 
Icnveth,  tJie  People  all  standing  until  the  Lord's  Prayer. 


DEARLY  beloved,  forasmuch  as  all  men  are 
conceived  and  born  in  sin, 
*[azid  that  which  is  born  of  the  *j^^  ^^  omitted  in 
flesh  is  flesh,  and  they  ^Arho  are  the  Office  of  Infant 
in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God,  Baptism, 
but  live  in  sin,  committing 
many  actual  trangressions  ;'\  and  our  Saviour 
Christ  saith,  None  can  enter  into  the  king- 
dom of  God,  except  he  be  regenerate  and 
born  anew  of  water  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  I 
beseech  you  to  call  upon  God  the  Father, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  of  his 
bounteous  goodness,  he  will  grant  to  these 
Persons  and  these  Infants  that  which  by  nature 
they  cannot  have ;  that  they  may  be  baptized 
with  "Water  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  received 
into  Christ's  holy  Church,  and  be  made  lively 
members  of  the  same. 


THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES. 


U   Then  shall  the  3Iifusier  say, 

Let   us   pray. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  of  thy 
great  mercy  didst  save  Noah  and  his  family 
in  the  ark  from  perishing  by  water;  and  also 
didst  safely  lead  the  children  of  Israel  thy 
people  through  the  Red  Sea,  figuring  thereby 
thy  holy  Baptism ;  and  by  the  Baptism  of  thy 
well-beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ  in  the  river  Jor- 
dan, didst  sanctify  Water  to  the  mystical  wash- 
ing away  of  sin;  We  beseech  thee,  for  thine 
infinite  mercies,  that  thou  wilt  mercifully  look 
upon  these  thy  Servants  and  these  Infants;  wash 
them  and  sanctify  them  with  the  Holy  Ghost; 
that  they  being  delivered  from  thy  wrath,  may 
be  received  into  the  ark  of  Christ's  Church ; 
and  being  stedfast  in  faith,  joyful  through  hope, 
and  rooted  in  charity,  may  so  pass  the  waves 
of  this  troublesome  world,  that  finally  they  may 
come  to  the  land  of  everlasting  life,  there  to 
reign  with  thee,  world  without  end ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

IT  Or  this. 

ALMIGHTY  and  immortal  God,  the  aid  of 
all  who  need,  the  helper  of  all  who  flee  to 
thee  for  succour,  the  life  of  those  who  believe, 
and  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  ;  We  call  upon 
thee  for  these  thy  Servants  and  these  Infants, 
that  they,  coming  to  thy  holy  Baptism,  may 
receive  remission  of  sin,  by  spiritual  regenera- 
tion. Receive  them,  O  Lord,  as  thou  hast 
promised  by  thy  well-beloved  Son,  saying,  Ask, 
and  ye  shall  have ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find ; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you.  So 
give  now  unto  us  who  ask ;  let  us  who  seek, 
find ;  open  the  gate  unto  us  who  knock ;  that 
these  Persons  and  these  Infants  may  enjoy  the 
everlasting  benediction  of  thy  heavenly  washing, 
and  may  come  to  the  eternal  kingdom  which 
thou  hast  promised  by  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES. 


[7"^?  Minister  shall  then,  when  the  Services  are  to  be  combined, 
proceed  to  the  questions,  page  /j,] 

but 

[  When  the  Office  for  Infants  is  used  alone  see  page  /j.] 

a7id 

[  Wheji  the  Office  for  A  dults  is  used  alone  :] 

IT  T/ien  the  Minister  shall  say. 

Hear  the  words  of  the  Gospel,  written  by  St. 
John,  in  the  third  Chapter,  beginning  at  the 
first  Verse. 

THERE  was  a  man  of  the  Pharisees,  named 
Nicodemus,  a  ruler  of  the  Jews  :  the  same 
came  to  Jesus  by  night,  and  said  unto  him. 
Rabbi,  we  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher  come 
from  God :  for  no  man  can  do  these  miracles 
that  thou  doest,  except  God  be  with  him.  Jesus 
answered  and  said  unto  him,  Verily,  verily,  I 
say  unto  thee.  Except  a  man  be  born  again,  he 
cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God.  Nicodemus 
saith  unto  him.  How  can  a  man  be  born  when 
he  is  old  ?  can  he  enter  the  second  time  into  his 
mother's  womb,  and  be  born  .^  Jesus  answered, 
Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  Except  a  man 
be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  That  which 
is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh  ;  and  that  which  is 
born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit.  Marvel  not  that  I 
said  unto  thee,  "Ve  must  be  born  again.  The 
wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou  hear- 
est  the  sound  thereof,  but  canst  not  tell  whence 
it  Cometh,  and  whither  it  goeth :  so  is  every 
one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit. 

H  After  which  he  shall  say  this  'Exhortz.iion  following. 

BELOVED,  ye  hear  in  this  Gospel  the  express 
words  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  that  except  a 
man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  can- 
not enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  Whereby 
ye  may  perceive  the  great  necessity  of  this 
Sacrament,    where    it   may    be    had.      Likewise, 


X2  THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES. 

immediately  before  his  ascension  into  heaven, 
(as  we  read  in  the  last  Chapter  of  Saint  Mark's 
Gospel,)  he  gave  command  to  his  disciples, 
saying,  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that  be- 
lieveth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved ;  but 
he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.  Which 
also  showeth  unto  us  the  great  benefit  we  reap 
thereby.  For  which  cause  Saint  Peter  the 
Apostle,  when  upon  his  first  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  many  were  pricked  at  the  heart,  and 
said  to  him  and  the  rest  of  the  Apostles,  Men 
and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ?  replied  and 
said  unto  them.  Repent,  and  be  baptized  every 
one  of  you  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye 
shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  "Holy  Ghost.  For 
the  promise  is  to  you  and  your  children,  and 
to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the 
Lord  our  God  shall  call.  And  with  many  other 
words  exhorted  he  them,  saying,  Save  your- 
selves from  this  untoward  generation.  For  (as 
the  same  Apostle  testifieth  in  another  place) 
even  Baptism  doth  also  now  save  us,  (not  the 
putting  away  of  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the 
answer  of  a  good  conscience  towards  God,)  by 
the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ.  Doubt  ye  not 
therefore,  but  earnestly  believe,  that  he  will 
favourably  receive  these  present  Persons,  truly 
repenting,  and  coming  unto  him  by  faith ;  that 
he  will  grant  them,  remission  of  their  sins,  and 
bestow  upon  them  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  he  will 
give  them  the  blessing  of  eternal  life,  and  make 
them,  partakers  of  his  everlasting  kingdom. 

Wherefore,  we  being  thus  persuaded  of  the 
good  will  of  our  heavenly  Father  toward  these 
Persons,  declared  by  his  Son  Jesus  Christ ;  let 
us  faithfully  and  devoutly  give  thanks  to  him, 
and  say, 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  heavenly 
Father,  We  give  thee  humble  thanks,  For 
that  thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  call  us  to  the 
knowledge  of  thy  grace,  and  faith  in  thee : 
Increase     this     knowledge.      And     confirm     this 


THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES.  13 

faith  in  us  evermore.  Give  thy  Holy  Spirit  to 
these  thy  Servants,  That  they  may  be  born 
again,  And  be  made  heirs  of  everlasting  salva- 
tion;  Through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  "Who 
liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  now  and  for  ever.     Amen. 

H   TAen  tlie  Minister  shall  speak  to  the   Persons  to  be  baptized 
on  this  wise. 

WELL-BELOVED,  who  are  come  hither  de- 
siring to  receive  holy  Baptism,  ye  have 
heard  how  the  congregation  hath  prayed,  that 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  vouchsafe  to  re- 
ceive you  and  bless  you,  to  release  you  of  your 
sins,  to  give  you  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and 
everlasting  life.  Ye  have  heard  also,  that  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  promised  in  his  holy 
Word  to  grant  all  of  those  things  that  we  have 
prayed  for ;  which  promise  he,  for  his  part  will 
most   surely  keep   and  perform. 

Wherefore,  after  this  promise  made  by  Christ, 
ye  must  also  faithfully,  for  your  part,  in  the 
presence  of  these  your  Witnesses,  and  this 
whole  congregation,  promise  and  answer  to  the 
following  questions. 

{See  page  ij.] 
[  When  the  Office  for  In/ants  is  used  alotie :] 

IT  Then  the  Minister  shall  say  as  follo^veth  :  or  else  shall  pass  im- 
mediately to  the  Questions  addressed  to  the  Sponsors.  But 
Note,  That  in  every  church  the  intermediate  parts  of  the 
Service  shall  be  used,  once  at  least  in  every  month,  {if  there 
be  a  baptism^  for  the  better  instructing  of  the  People  in  tJie 
grounds  of  It  f  ant  Baptism. 

Hear  the  words  of  the  Gospel,  written  by  St. 
Maria,  in  the  tenth  Chapter,  at  the  thirteenth 
Verse. 

THEY  brought  young  children  to  Christ, 
that  he  should  touch  them  :  and  his  dis- 
ciples rebuked  those  that  brought  them.  But 
when   Jesus    saw   it,    he    was    much    displeased. 


14  THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES. 

and  said  unto  them,  Suffer  the  little  children 
to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not :  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily  I  say  unto 
you.  Whosoever  shall  not  receive  the  kingdom 
of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not  enter  there- 
in. And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put  his 
hands  upon  them,  and  blessed  them. 

IT  After  the  Gospel  is  read,  the  Minister  shall  make  this  brief 
Exhortation  upo7i  the  words  of  the  Gospel. 

BELOVED,  ye  hear  in  this  Gospel  the  words 
of  our  Saviour  Christ,  that  he  commanded 
the  children  to  be  brought  unto  him  ;  how  he 
blamed  those  who  would  have  kept  them  from 
him ;  how  he  exhorteth  all  men  to  follow 
their  innocency.  Ye  perceive  how,  by  his  out- 
ward gesture  and  deed,  he  declared  his  good 
will  toward  them ;  for  he  embraced  them  in 
his  arms,  he  laid  his  hands  upon  them,  and 
blessed  them.  Doubt  ye  not  therefore,  but 
earnestly  believe,  that  he  will  likewise  favour- 
ably receive  this  present  Infant;  that  he  will 
embrace  hinx  with  the  arms  of  his  mercy ;  that 
he  will  give  unto  him  the  blessing  of  eternal 
life,  and  make  him  partaker  of  his  everlasting 
kingdom. 

Wherefore,  we  being  thus  persuaded  of  the 
good  will  of  our  heavenly  Father  towards  this 
Infant,  declared  by  his  Son  Jesus  Christ;  and 
nothing  doubting  but  that  he  favourably  allow- 
eth  this  charitable  work  of  ours  in  bringing 
this  Infant  to  his  holy  Baptism ;  let  us  faith- 
fully and  devoutly  give  thanks  unto  him,  and 
say, 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  heavenly 
Father,  We  give  thee  humble  thanks.  That 
thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  call  us  to  the  knowledge 
of  thy  grace,  and  faith  in  thee :  Increase  this 
knowledge.  And  confirm  this  faith  in  us  ever- 
more. Give  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  this  Infant, 
That  he  may  be  born  again.  And  be  made  an 
heir  of  everlasting  salvation ;  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  W^ho  liveth  and  reigneth  with 
thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  Now  and  for  ever. 
Amen. 


THE   BAPTISMAL   OFFICES.  15 


IT  T  hen  shall  the  Minister  speak  nnto  the  Godfathers  atid  God- 
mothers on  this  wise. 

DEARLY  beloved,  ye  have  brought  this  Child 
here  to  be  baptized ;  ye  have  prayed  that 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  vouchsafe  to  re- 
ceive him,  to  release  him  from  sin,  to  sanctify 
him.  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  give  him.  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  and  everlasting  life.  Ye 
have  heard  also  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
hath  promised  in  his  Gospel  to  grant  all  these 
things  that  ye  have  prayed  for :  which  promise 
he,  for  his  part,  will  most  surely  keep  and 
perform. 

W^herefore,  after  this  promise  made  by  Christ, 
this  Infant  must  also  faithfully,  for  his  part, 
promise  by  you  that  are  his  sureties,  (until  he 
come  of  age  to  take  it  upon  himself,)  that  he 
will  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  and 
constantly  believe  God's  holy  Word,  and  obe- 
diently  keep  his   commandments. 

^  The  Minister  shall  then  detnand  of  the  sponsors  or  of  the 
Persons  to  be  baptized,  as  follozueth  ;  tlie  Questions  beifig  con- 
sidered as  addressed  to  them  severally,  and  the  A  nswers  to  be 
made  accordingly. 

I  demand  therefore, 

DOST  thou  \in  the  name  of  this  child]  renounce 
the  devil  and  all  his  works,  the  vain  pomp 
and  glory  of  the  world,  with  all  covetous  de- 
sires of  the  same,  and  the  sinful  desires  of  the 
flesh,  so  that  thou  wilt  not  follow,  nor  be  led 
by  them  ? 

Ansvi^er.  I  renounce  them  all ;  and,  by  God's 
help,  will  endeavour  not  to  follow,  nor  be  led 
by   them. 

Minister.  Dost  thou  believe  all  the  Articles  of 
the  Christian  Faith,  as  contained  in  the  Apostles' 
Creed? 

Answer.    I  do. 

Minister.    Wilt    thou    be   baptized  in  this  faith  ? 

Answer.    That   is   my  desire. 

Minister.  \A^ilt  thou  then  obediently  keep  God's 
holy  will  and  commandments  and  walk  in  the 
same  all  the   days   of  thy  life  ? 

Ansvirer.    I   will,   by   God's   help. 


x6  THE   BAPTISMAL   OFFICES. 


IF  Theti  shall  the  Mmister  say, 

O  MERCIFUL  God,  grant  that  the  old 
Adam  in  these  thy  Servants  and  in  these  In- 
fants may  be  so  buried,  that  the  new  man  may 
be  raised  up  in  them.     Amen. 

Grant  that  all  sinful  affections  may  die  in 
them,  and  that  all  things  belonging  to  the  Spirit 
may  live  and  grow  in    them.     Amen. 

Grant  that  they  may  have  power  and  strength 
to  have  victory,  and  to  triumph  against  the 
devil,   the   world,   and   the   flesh.     Amen. 

Grant  that  they,  being  here  dedicated  to  thee 
by  our  office  and  ministry,  may  also  be  endued 
with  heavenly  virtues,  and  everlastingly  re- 
warded, through  thy  mercy,  O  blessed  Lord 
God,  who  dost  live  and  govern  all  things,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 

ALMIGHTY,  everliving  God,  whose  most 
dearly  beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ,  for  the 
forgiveness  of  our  sins,  did  shed  out  his  most 
precious  side  both  water  and  blood ;  and  gave 
commandment  to  his  disciples,  that  they  should 
go  teach  all  nations,  and  baptize  them  In  the 
Name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  Regard,  we  beseech  thee,  the  sup- 
plications of  thy  congregation;  sanctify  this 
Water  to  the  mystical  washing  away  of  sin ; 
and  grant  that  these  thy  Servants  and  these 
Infants,  now  to  be  baptized  therein,  may  receive 
the  fulness  of  thy  grace,  and  ever  remain  in 
the  number  of  thy  faithful  children;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

IT  Then  shall  the  Minister  take  each  Person  to  be  baptized  by 
the  right  hand ;  a?id  placi7ig  him  conveniently  by  the  Font, 
according  to  his  discretion,  shall  ask  the  Godfathers  and 
Godmothers  the  Name;  and  then  shall  dip  him  /«  the  water, 
or  pour  water  upon  him,  saying, 

NI  baptize  thee  in  the  Name  of  the  Father, 
•  and   of  the    Son,   and   of  the    Holy  Ghost. 
Amen. 


THE    BAPTISMAL   OFFICES.  17 


IT   Tfien  sltall  the  Minister  say, 

WE   receive  this   Person  into  the  congrega- 
tion of   Christ's   flock;   and  do  *sign  him. 
with  the   sign  of   the    Cross, 

*  Here    the    Minister    »"    token    that    hereafter    he 
shall  make  a  Cross  upon    shall  not  be  ashamed  to  con- 
the  Person's  forehead.        fegg  the  faith  of  Christ  cruci- 
fied,   and    manfully    to    fight 

under  his  banner,  against  sin,  the  world,  and 
the  devil ;  and  to  continue  Christ's  faithful  soldier 
and  servant  unto  Ms  life's   end.     Amen. 

H  Then  the  Minister  shall  take  the   Child  into   his   hands,   and 
shall  say  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers, 

Name  this  Child. 

IT  A  nd  tJien,  naming  it  after  them,  he  sJiall  dip  it  in  the  Water 
discreetly,  or  shall  pour  Water  upon  it,  saying, 

NI  baptize  thee  in  the   Name  of  the   Father, 
•  and   of   the    Son,   and   of  the  Holy   Ghost. 
Amen. 

^   Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

WE  receive  this   Child  into  the  congregation 
of   Christ's   flock ;  and   do  *sign  him  with 
the    sign    of    the    Cross,    in 

*  Here  the  Minister  token  that  hereafter  he  shall 
shall  make  a  Cross  upon  not  be  ashamed  to  confess 
the  Child' s forehead.  t^g  faith  of  Christ   crucified, 

and  manfully  to  fight  under 
his  banner,  against  sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil ; 
and  to  continue  Christ's  faithful  soldier  and 
servant  unto  his  life's  end.     Amen. 

IT  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

SEEING  now,  dearly  beloved  brethren,  that 
these  Persons  and  these  Infants  are  regener- 
ate, and  grafted  into  the  body  of  Christ's  Church, 
let  us  give  thanks  unto  Almighty  God  for  these 
benefits  ;  and  with  one  accord  make  our  prayers 
unto  him,  that  they  may  lead  the  rest  of  their 
life  according  to  this  beginning. 


l8  THE  BAPTISMAL   OFFICES. 


U  Thefi  shall  be  said,  all  kneeling. 

OUR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be 
thy  Name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will 
be  done  on  earth,  As  it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us 
this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us  our 
trespasses,  As  we  forgive  those  who  trespass 
against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation; 
But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 

TT  The7i  shall  the  Miftisier  say, 

WE  yield  thee  hearty  thanks,  most  merci- 
ful Father,  that  it  hath  pleased  thee  to 
regenerate  these  thy  Servants  and  these  Infants 
with  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  receive  them  for  thine 
own  children  by  adoption,  and  to  incorporate 
them  into  thy  holy  Church.  And  humbly  we  be- 
seech thee  to  grant,  that  they,  being  dead  unto 
sin,  and  living  unto  righteousness,  and  being 
buried  with  Christ  in  his  death,  may  crucify 
the  old  man,  and  utterly  abolish  the  whole  body 
of  sin ;  and  that,  as  they  are  made  partakers 
of  the  death  of  thy  Son,  they  may  also  be  par- 
takers of  his  resurrection ;  so  that  finally,  with 
the  residue  of  thy  holy  Church,  they  may  be 
inheritors  of  thine  everlasting  kingdom  ;  through 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

^   Then  all  standing-  up,  the  Minister  shall  use  this   Exhortation 
followifig :  s/eaking  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  first. 

FORASMUCH  as  these  Persons  have  prom- 
ised, in  your  presence,  to  renounce  the  devil 
and  all  his  works,  to  believe  in  God,  and  to  serve 
him;  ye  must  remember,  that  it  is  your  part  and 
duty  to  put  them  in  mind,  what  a  solemn  vow, 
promise,  and  profession  they  have  now  made  be- 
fore this  congregation,  and  especially  before  you 
their  chosen  witnesses.  And  ye  are  also  to  call 
upon  them,  to  use  all  diligence  to  be  rightly  in- 
structed in  God's  holy  "Word,  that  so  they  may 
grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  live  godly,  righteously, 
and  soberly,  in  this  present  world. 


THE    BAPTISMAL    OFFICES.  19 


IT  A  nd  then,  sneaking-  to  the  baptized  Persons,  he  shall  proceed  and 

say, 

AND  as  for  you,  who  have  now  by  Baptism  put 
on  Christ,  it  is  your  part  and  duty  also,  being 
made  the  children  of  God  and  of  the  light,  by 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  to  walk  answerably  to  your 
Christian  calling,  and  as  becometh  the  children 
of  light ;  remembering  always  that  Baptism  doth 
represent  unto  us  our  profession ;  which  is,  to 
follow  the  example  of  our  Saviour  Christ  and 
to  be  made  like  unto  him  ;  that  as  he  died,  and 
rose  again  for  us,  so  should  we  who  are  bap- 
tized, die  from  sin,  find  rise  again  unto  righteous- 
ness ;  continually  mortifying  all  our  evil  and 
corrupt  affections,  and  daily  proceeding  in  all 
virtue  and  godliness  of  living. 

II  Then  the  Minister  shall  say  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers 
this  Exhortation  folloiving. 

FORASMUCH  as  this  Child  hath  promised  by 
you  his  sureties,  to  renounce  the  devil  and 
all  his  works,  to  believe  in  God,  and  to  serve 
him  ;  ye  must  remember,  that  it  is  your  parts 
and  duties  to  see  that  this  Infant  be  taught,  so 
soon  as  he  shall  be  able  to  learn,  what  a  solemn 
vow,  promise,  and  profession  he  hath  here  made 
by  you.  And  that  he  may  know  these  things 
the  better,  ye  shall  call  upon  him  to  hear  Ser- 
mons; and  chiefly  ye  shall  provide  that  he  may 
learn  the  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten 
Commandments,  and  all  other  things  which  a 
Christian  ought  to  know  and  believe  to  his 
soul's  health  ;  and  that  this  Child  may  be  vir- 
tuously brought  up  to  lead  a  godly  and  a  Chris- 
tian life ;  remembering  always  that  Baptism 
doth  represent  unto  us  our  profession ;  which  is 
to  follow  the  example  of  our  Saviour  Christ, 
and  to  be  made  like  unto  him  ;  that,  as  he  died, 
and  rose  again  for  us,  so  should  we,  who  are 
baptized,  die  from  sin,  and  rise  again  unto  right- 
eousness ;  continually  mortifying  all  our  evil  and 
corrupt  affections,  and  daily  proceeding  in  all 
virtue  and  godliness  of  living. 


THE   BAPTISMAL    OFFICES. 


IT   Then  shall  he  add,  and  say, 

YE  are  to  take  care  that  this  Child  be  brought 
to  the  Bishop  to  be  confirmed  by  him,  so 
soon  as  he  can  say  the  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
and  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  is  sufficiently 
instructed  in  the  other  parts  of  the  Church  Cate- 
chism set  forth  for  that  purpose. 


* 


THE    MINISTRATION    OF 
PRIVATE    BAPTISM    OF    CHIL- 
DREN   IN    HOUSES. 


IT  The  Minister  of  ez'ery  Parish  shall  often  admonish  the  People 
that  they  defer  ttot  the  Baptism  of  their  Children  longer  than 
the  first  or  second  Sunday  next  after  their  birth,  or  other 
H oly -day  falling  between,  7inless  np07i  a  great  and  reasonable 
cause. 

IF  A  fid  also  he  shall  warn  them,  that  without  like  great  cause  and 
necessity,  they  proctire  not  their  Childreri  to  be  baptised  at  home 
in  their  houses.  But  ivhen  need  shall  compel  them  so  to  do,  then 
Baptism,  shall  be  adtninistered  as  follcnveth. 

IT  First,  let  the  minister  of  the  Parish  (or,  in  his  absence,  any 
other  laiiful  Mitiister  that  cati  be  procured)  xoith  those  who  are 
present,  call  upon  God,  and  say  the  Lord'' s  Prayer,  a?id  so 
many  oj  the  Collects  appoifited  to  be  said  before  in  the  Form  of 
Public  Baptism,  as  the  time  and  present  exigence  will  suffer. 
A  nd  then,  the  Child  being  named  by  so7ne  one  Tvho  is  present, 
the  Minister  shall  pour  Water  upon  it,  saying  these  words : 

NI  baptize  thee  In  the  Name  of  the  Father, 
•  and    of   the    Son,    and    of   the    Holy  Ghost. 
Amen. 

IT  Then  the  Minister  shal  give  thanks  unto  God,  and  say, 

WE  yield  thee  hearty  thanks,  most  merciful 
Father,  that  it  hath  pleased  thee  to  re- 
generate this  Infant  with  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  re- 
ceive him.  for  thine  own  Child  by  adoption,  and 
to  incorporate  him  into  thy  holy  Church.  And 
humbly  we  beseech  thee  to  grant,  that  he, 
being  dead  unto  sin,  and  living  unto  righteous- 
ness, and  being  buried  with  Christ  in  his  death, 
may  crucify  the  old  man,  and  utterly  abolish 
the  whole  body  of  sin ;  and  that,  as  he  is  made 
partaker  of  the  death  of  thy  Son,  he  may  also 
be  partaker  of  his  resurrection ;  so  that  finally, 
with  the  residue  of  thy  holy  Church,  he  may 
be  an  inheritor  of  thine  everlasting  kingdom ; 
through  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


THE   BAPTISMAL   OFFICES. 


The  Thanksgiving  of  Women  after  Child-birth. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  we  give  thee  humble 
thanks  for  that  thou  hast  been  graciously 
pleased  to  preserve,  through  the  great  pain  and 
peril  of  child-birth,  this  woman,  thy  servant, 
who  desireth  now  to  offer  her  praises  and 
thanksgivings  unto  thee.  Grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  most  merciful  Father,  that  she,  through 
thy  help,  may  both  faithfully  live  and  walk  ac- 
cording to  thy  will  in  this  life  present,  and  also 
may  be  partaker  of  everlasting  glory  in  the 
life  to  come;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lordo 
Amen, 


^ 


THE    FORM    OF 

SOLEMNIZATION    OF 

MATRIMONY. 


H  The  laws  respecting-  Matrhnony,  whether  by  publishing  the 
Baftns  in  Churches,  or  by  Licefice,  being  differ e7it  in  t/te  several 
States,  eziery  Alinister  is  left  to  the  direction  of  those  laws,  in 
every  thing  tJuit  regards  the  civil  contract  between  the  parties. 

IT  A  nd  when  the  Bamis  are  published,  it  shall  be  in  the  following 

form  :     I  publish  the  Banns  of  Marriage  between    A/,    of , 

and  iV.  of .     If  any  of  you  know  cause,  or  just  impediment, 

why  these  two  persons  should  not  be  joined  together  in  holy 
Matrimony,  ye  are  to  declare  it.  Tliis  is  the  first  [second  or 
third]  time  of  asking. 

^  At  the  day  and  time  appointed  for  Solemnization  of  Matrimony, 
the  Persons  to  be  married  shall  coine  into  the  body  of  the 
Church,  or  shall  be  ready  in  sojue  proper  house,  ivith  tlieir 
friends  and  neighbours  ;  and  there  standing  together,  tJie  Alan 
on  the  right  hatid,  and  the  Wo7na7i  on  tJie  left,  the  Minister 
shall  say, 

DEARLY  beloved,  we  are  gathered  together 
here  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  in  the  face 
of  this  company,  to  join  together  this  Man  and 
this  Woman  in  holy  Matrimony ;  which  is  an 
honourable  estate,  instituted  of  God  in  the  time 
of  man's  innocency,  signifying  unto  us  the 
mystical  union  that  is  betwixt  Christ  and  his 
Church :  which  holy  estate  Christ  adorned  and 
beautified  with  his  presence  and  first  miracle 
that  he  wrought  in  Cana  of  Galilee,  and  is  com- 
mended of  Saint  Paul  to  be  honourable  among 
all  men:  and  therefore  is  not  by  any  to  be 
entered  into  unadvisedly  or  lightly;  but  rever- 
ently, discreetly,  advisedly,  soberly,  and  in  the 
fear  of  God.  Into  this  holy  estate  these  two 
persons  present  come  now  to  be  joined.  If  any 
man  can  show  just  cause,  why  they  may  not 
lawfully  be  joined  together,  let  him  now  speak, 
or  else  hereafter  for  ever  hold  his  peace. 


24  SOLEMNIZATION    OF    MATRIMONY. 

U  A  nd  also  speaking  unto  the  Persons  who  are  to  be  married, 
he  shall  say, 

I  REQUIRE  and  charge  you  both,  as  ye  will 
answer  at  the  dreadful  day  of  judgment  when 
the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be  disclosed,  that 
if  either  of  you  know  any  impediment,  why  ye 
may  not  be  lawfully  joined  together  in  Matri- 
mony, ye  do  now  confess  it.  For  be  ye  well 
assured,  that  if  any  persons  are  joined  together 
otherwise  than  as  God's  word  doth  allow,  their 
marriage  is  not  lawful. 

II  The  Minister,  if  he  shall  have  reason  to  doubt  of  the  la%vfidness 
of  the  proposed  Marriage,  may  demand  S2ifficie7it  surety  for  his 
indemnification  ;  but  if  no  impediment  shall  be  alleged,  or  sus- 
pected, the  Minister  shall  say  to  the  Mati, 

MWILT  thou  have  this  Woman  to  thy 
•  wedded  wife,  to  live  together  after  God's 
ordinance  in  the  holy  estate  of  Matrimony  ? 
"Wilt  thou  love  her,  comfort  her,  honour,  and 
keep  her  in  sickness  and  in  health  ;  and,  for- 
saking all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto  her,  so 
long  as  ye  both  shall  live  ? 

IT  The  Man  shall  answer, 

I  will. 
IT  Then  shall  the  Minister  say  unto  the  Woman, 

NWILT  thou  have  this  Man  to  thy  wedded 
•  husband,  to  live  together  after  God's  ordi- 
nance in  the  holy  estate  of  Matrimony  ?  W^ilt 
thou  obey  him,  and  serve  him,  love,  honour, 
and  keep  him  in  sickness  and  in  health ;  and, 
forsaking  all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto  him, 
so  long  as  ye  both  shall  live  "i 

T[   The  Woman  shall  answer, 

I  will. 


w 


SOLEMNIZATION    OF    MATRIMONY. 


IT   Then  shall  the  Mviister  say 

HO  giveth  this  Woman  to  be   married   to 
this  Man  ? 


IT  Then  shall  they  give  their  troth  to  each  other  in  this  manner. 
The  Mifiister,  receiviiig  the  IVotnan  at  her  father'' s  or  friejicfs 
hands,  shall  cause  the  J\Ia>t  with  his  right  hand  to  take  the 
Woman  by  }ier  right  hand,  and  to  say  after  him  asfolloweth, 

IM.  take  thee  N.  to  my  wedded  Wife,  to  have 
and  to  hold  from  this  day  forward,  for  better 
for  worse,  for  richer  for  poorer,  in  sickness  and 
in  health,  to  love  and  to  cherish,  till  death  us 
do  part,  according  to  God's  holy  ordinance ;  and 
thereto  I  plight  thee  my  troth. 

IT  Then  shall  they  loose  their  hatids ;  and  the  IVoman  with  her 
right  hand  taking  tlie  Man  by  his  right  hand,  shall  likewise  say 
after  the  Minister  : 

N.  take  thee  M.  to  my  wedded  Husband,  to 
have  and  to  hold  from  this  day  forwfard,  for 
better  for  worse,  for  richer  for  poorer,  n  sick- 
ness and  in  health,  to  love,  cherish,  and  to 
obey,  till  death  us  do  part,  according  to  God's 
holy  ordinance ;  and  thereto  I  give  thee  my 
troth. 

IT  Then  shall  they  again  loose  their  hands  ;  and  tJie  Man  shall 
give  U7ito  the  IVomafi  a  Ring.  A  nd  the  Minister  taking  the 
Ring  shall  deliver  it  ujtto  the  Man,  to  put  it  upon  the  fourth 
fi>/ger  of  the  Jl'o)nan''s  left  hand.  A  7id  the  Man  holding  the 
Ring  there,  afid  tarcght  by  the  Minister,  shall  say, 

WITH  this  Ring  I  thee  wed,  and  with  al  my 
worldly  goods  I  thee  endow :  In  the  Name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.     Amen. 

IT  Then,  the  Man  leaving  the  Ring  upon  the  fourth  finger  of  the 
Woman\  left  hand,  the  Minister  shall  say, 

Let  us  pray. 

OUR    Father,   who   art   in    heaven.    Hallowed 
be    thy    Name.      Thy    kingdom    come.     Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth.  As  it  is  in  heaven.     Give 


26  SOLEMNIZATION    OF    MATRIMONY. 


US  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  As  we  forgive  those  who  trespass 
against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation  ; 
But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 

O  ETERNAL  God,  Creator  and  Preserver  of 
all  mankind,  Giver  of  all  spiritual  grace, 
the  Author  of  everlasting  life  ;  Send  thy  bless- 
ing upon  these  thy  servants,  this  man  and  this 
woman,  whom  we  bless  in  thy  Name  ;  that,  as 
Isaac  and  Rebecca  lived  faithfully  together,  so 
these  persons  may  surely  perform  and  keep  the 
vow  and  covenant  betwixt  them  made,  (whereof 
this  Ring  given  and  received  is  a  token  and 
pledge,)  and  may  ever  remain  in  perfect  love 
and  peace  together,  and  live  according  to  thy 
laws  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

IT    Thefi  shall  the  Minister  join  their  right  hands  together,  and  say^ 


T 


HOSE   whom    God   hath   joined  together  let 
no  man  put  asunder. 

^   Theyi  shall  the  Minister  speak  unto  the  Coinpany, 


FORASMUCH  as  Af.  and  N.  have  consented 
together  in  holy  wedlock,  and  have  wit- 
nessed the  same  before  God  and  this  company, 
and  thereto  have  given  and  pledged  their  troth, 
each  to  the  other,  and  have  declared  the  same 
by  giving  and  receiving  a  Ring,  and  by  joining 
hands;  I  pronounce  that  they  are  Man  and 
"Wife,  In  the  Name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

51  A  7id  the  Minister  shall  add  this  blessing. 

GOD  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  God  the  Holy 
Ghost,  bless,  preserve,  and  keep  you ;  the 
Lord  mercifully  with  his  favour  look  upon  you, 
and  fill  you  with  all  spiritual  benediction  and 
grace  ;  that  ye  may  so  live  together  in  this  life, 
that  in  the  world  to  come  ye  may  have  life  ever- 
lasting.    Amen. 


THE  ORDER    FOR 

THE  VISITATION   OF  THE    SICK. 


IT  When  any  perso-)i  is  sick,  notice  shall  be  given  thereof  to  the 
Minister  of  the  Parish ;  who,  coming-  into  the  sick  person's 
house,  shall  say, 


PEACE  be  to  this  house,  and  to  all  that  dwell 
in  it. 

H  When  he  covieth   into  the  sick   niaiCs  presence,  he  shall  say, 
kneeling  down, 

REMEMBER   not,    Lord,    our   iniquities,    nor 
the   iniquities  of  our  forefathers  :    Spare  us, 
good   Lord,   spare  thy  people,    whom    thou   hast 
redeemed    with     thy    most    precious   blood,    and 
be  not  angry  with  us  for  ever. 
Ans-wer.     Spare  us,  good  Lord. 

IT  Then  the  Minister  shall  say. 

Let  us  pray. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

OUR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed 
be  thy  Name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth.  As  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us 
our  trespasses.  As  we  forgive  those  who  tres- 
pass against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  tempta- 
tion;  But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 


28  THE    ORDER    FOR    THE 


Minister.     O  Lord,  save  thy  servant. 
Answer.     Who  putteth  his  trust  in  thee. 
Minister.     Send  him  help  from  thy  holy  place; 
Ansvirer.     And   evermore  mightily  defend  him. 
Minister.     Let   the   enemy  have   no  advantage 

of  him.; 
Ansvver.     Nor   the    wicked    approach    to    hurt 

him.. 
Minister.     Be    unto    him,    O    Lord,    a    strong 

tower ; 
Answer.     From  the  face  of  his  enemy. 
Minister.     O  Lord,  hear  our  prayer. 
Answer.     And  let  our  cry  come  unto  thee. 


Minister. 

LORD,  look  down  from  heaven,  behold, 
visit,  and  relieve  this  thy  servant.  Look 
upon  him  with  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy,  give  him 
comfort  and  sure  confidence  in  thee,  defend 
liim  from  the  danger  of  the  enemy,  and  keep 
him  in  perpetual  peace  and  safety ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


"EAR  us,  Almighty  and  most  merciful  God 
and  Saviour;  extend  thy  accustomed  good- 
ness to  this  thy  servant,  who  is  grieved  with 
sickness.  Sanctify,  we  beseech  thee,  this  thy 
fatherly  correction  to  liim;  that  the  sense  of  Ais 
weakness  may  add  strength  to  his  faith,  and 
seriousness  to  his  repentance :  that,  if  it  shall  be 
thy  good  pleasure  to  restore  him  to  his  former 
health,  lie  may  lead  the  residue  of  his  life  in  thy 
fear,  and  to  thy  glory :  or  else,  give  liim  grace  so 
to  take  thy  visitation,  that,  after  this  painful  life 
ended,  he  may  dwell  with  thee  in  life  everlast- 
ing; through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


H  TJieu  shall  the  Minister  exho7-t  the  sick  Person  after  this  for jh.^ 
or  othsr  like. 


VISITATION    OF    THE    SICK.  29 


DEARLY  beloved,  know  this,  that  Almighty 
God  is  the  Lord  of  life  and  death,  and  of 
all  things  to  them  pertaining;  as  youth,  strength, 
health,  age,  weakness,  and  sickness.  Where- 
fore, whatsoever  your  sickness  be,  know  you 
certainly  that  it  is  God's  visitation.  And  for 
what  cause  soever  this  sickness  be  sent  unto 
you;  whether  it  be  to  try  your  patience  for  the 
example  of  others,  and  that  your  faith  may  be 
found,  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  laudable,  glori- 
ous, and  honourable,  to  the  increase  of  glory 
and  endless  felicity;  or  else  it  be  sent  unto  you 
to  correct  and  amend  in  you  whatsoever  doth 
offend  the  eyes  of  your  heavenly  Father  ;  know 
you  certainly,  that  if  you  truly  repent  you  of 
your  sins,  and  bear  your  sickness  patiently, 
trusting  in  God's  mercy  for  his  dear  Son  Jesus 
Christ's  sake,  and  render  unto  him  humble 
thanks  for  his  fatherly  visitation,  submitting 
yourself  wholly  unto  his  will,  it  shall  turn  to 
your  profit,  and  help  you  forward  in  the  right 
way  that  leadeth  unto  everlasting  life. 


II  IftJie  Person  visited  be  very  sick,  then  the  Minister  may  end 
his  Exhortation  in  this  place,  or  else  proceed. 


TAKE  therefore  in  good  part  the  chastisement 
of  the  Lord:  for  (as  Saint  Paul  saith  in  the 
twelfth  Chapter  to  the  Hebrews)  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son 
whom  he  receiveth.  If  ye  endure  chastening, 
God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons ;  for  what 
son  is  he  whom  the  father  chasteneth  not  ?  But 
if  ye  be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all  are 
partakers,  then  are  ye  bastards,  and  not  sons. 
Furthermore  we  have  had  fathers  of  our  flesh 
which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them  rever- 
ence :  shall  v/e  not  much  rather  be  in  subjection 
unto  the  Father  of  spirits,  and  live  "i  For  they 
verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  us  after  their 
own  pleasure ;  but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we 
might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness.  These 
words,  good  brother,  are  written  in  holy  Scrip- 


30  THE    ORDER    FOR    THE 

ture  for  our  comfort  and  instruction ;  that  we 
should  patiently,  and  with  thanksgiving,  bear 
our  heavenly  Father's  correction,  whensoever, 
by  any  manner  of  adversity,  it  shall  please  his 
gracious  goodness  to  visit  us.  And  there 
should  be  no  greater  comfort  to  Christian  per- 
sons, than  to  be  made  like  unto  Christ,  by  suf- 
fering patrently  adversities,  troubles,  and  sick- 
nesses. For  he  himself  went  not  up  to  joy, 
but  first  he  suffered  pain ;  he  entered  not  into 
his  glory  before  he  was  crucified.  So  truly  our 
way  to  eternal  joy  is  to  suffer  here  with  Christ; 
and  our  door  to  enter  into  eternal  life  is  gladly 
to  die  with  Christ ;  that  we  may  rise  again  from 
death,  and  dwell  with  him  in  everlasting  life. 
Now  therefore,  taking  your  sickness,  which  is 
thus  profitable  for  you,  patiently,  I  exhort  you, 
in  the  Name  of  God,  to  remember  the  profession 
which  you  made  unto  God  in  your  Baptism. 
And  forasmuch  as  after  this  life  there  is  an  ac- 
count to  be  given  unto  the  righteous  Judge,  by 
whom  all  must  be  judged,  without  respect  of 
persons,  I  require  you  to  examine  yourself  and 
your  estate,  both  toward  God  and  man;  so  that, 
accusing  and  condemning  yourself  for  your 
own  faults,  you  may  find  mercy  at  our  heavenly 
Father's  hand  for  Christ's  sake,  and  not  be  ac- 
cursed and  condemned  in  that  fearful  judgment. 
Therefore  I  shall  rehearse  to  you  the  Articles 
of  our  Faith ;  that  you  may  know  whether 
you  do  believe  as  a  Christian  man  should,  or 
no. 

1  Here  the  Minister  shall  rehearse  the  Articles  of  the  Faith,  say- 
iftg'  thus, 

DOST  thou  believe  in  God  the  Father  Al- 
mighty, Maker  of  heaven  and  earth  ? 
And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  only-begotten  Son 
our  Lord  ?  And  that  he  was  conceived  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary  :  that  he 
suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified, 
dead,  and  buried  :  that  he  went  down  into  hell, 
and  also  did  rise  again  the  third   day :    that   he 


VISITATION    OF    THE    SICK.  31 

ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the  right 
hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty:  and  from 
thence  shall  come  again,  at  the  end  of  the 
world,   to   judge   the  quick  and   the   dead  ? 

And  dost  thou  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost: 
the  holy  Catholic  Church ;  the  Communion  of 
Saints:  the  Remission  of  sins:  the  Resurrec- 
tion of  the  flesh :  and  everlasting  Life  after 
death  ? 

IT   The  sick  person  shall  answer , 

All  this   I  stedfastly  believe. 

IT  The7t  shall  the  Minister  examine  whether  Jte  repent  hitn  truly  oj 
his  sins,  and  Iw  in  charity  with  all  the  world  ;  exhorting  hint  to 
forgiz'e^froin  the  bottoju  of  his  heart,  all  perso7ts  t/tat  have  of- 
fended him  ;  and  if  he  hath  qffefided  any  other,  to  ask  them 
forgiveness ;  and  luliere  he  hath  done  injury  or  wrong  to  any 
man,  that  he  make  amends  to  the  uttermost  of  his  po^ver 
A  nd  if  he  hath  not  before  disposed  of  his  goods,  let  him  then  be 
admonished  to  make  his  Will,  and  to  declare  his  Debts,  what  he 
oweth,  a7id  li-'hat  is  oiving  unto  hiin,  for  tlie  better  discharging 
of  his  conscience,  and  the  quietness  of  his  Executors.  But  men 
shoiddoften  be  put  i?i  retnembrance  to  take  order  for  the  settlifig 
of  their  temporal  estates,  whilst  they  are  in  health. 

IT  The  Exhortatio7i  before  rehearsed,  77iay  be  said  before  tfte  Mi7i- 
ister  begin  his  Prayer,  as  lie  shall  see  cause. 

H   The  Mi7iister  shall  not  omit  ear7testly  to  77iove  such  sick  perso7is 
as  are  of  ability,  to  be  liberal  to  the  poor. 

IT  A  nd  then  the  Mi7iister  shall  say  the  Collect  followi?ig. 

Let   us  pray. 

OMOST  merciful  God,  who,  according  to  the 
multitude  of  thy  mercies,  dost  so  put  away 
the  sins  of  those  who  truly  repent,  that  thou 
rememberest  them  no  more  ;  Open  thine  eye  of 
mercy  upon  this  thy  servant,  who  most  ear- 
nestly desireth  pardon  and  forgiveness.  Renew 
in  him,  most  loving  Father,  whatsoever  hath 
been   decayed   by   the   fraud   and   malice   of  the 


32  THE    ORDER    FOR    THE 


devil,  or  by  his  own  carnal  will  and  frailness ; 
preserve  and  continue  this  sick  member  in  the 
unity  of  the  Church ;  consider  Jus  contrition, 
accept  his  tears,  assuage  his  pain,  as  shall  seem 
to  thee  most  expedient  for  him.  And  foras- 
much as  he  putteth  liis  full  trust  only  in  thy 
mercy,  impute  not  unto  him  his  former  sins, 
but  strengthen  him  with  thy  blessed  Spirit ; 
and,  when  thou  art  pleased  to  take  him  hence, 
take  him  unto  thy  favour ;  through  the  merits 
of  thy  most  dearly  beloved  Son,  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

IT  T/ien  shall  the  Mmister  say  this  Psalm. 

Psalm  130.     De  profundis. 

|UT  of  the  deep  have  I  called   unto   thee,    O 
Lord  :   Lord,  hear  my  voice. 

0  let  thine  ears  consider  well :  the  voice  of 
my  complaint. 

If  thou,  Lord,  wilt  be  extreme  to  mark  what 
is  done  amiss :  O  Lord,  who  may  abide  it  ? 

For  there  is  mercy  with  thee  :  therefore  shalt 
thou  be   feared. 

1  look  for  the  Lord ;  my  soul  doth  wait  for 
him  :   in  his  word  is   my  trust. 

My  soul  fleeth  unto  the  Lord :  before  the 
morning  watch,  I  say,  before  the  morning 
watch, 

O  Israel,  trust  in  the  Lord ;  for  with  the  Lord 
there  is  mercy:  and  with  him  is  plenteous  re- 
demption. 

And  he  shall  redeem  Israel :  from  all  his  sins. 

IT  A  ddi7tg  this. 

SAVIOUR  of  the  world,  who  by  thy  Cross 
and  precious  Blood  hast  redeemed  us  ;    Save 

us   and   help   us,    we   humbly   beseech    thee,    O 

Lord. 


VISITATION    OF    THE    SICK,  33 


IT   Then  sJiaU  the  Minister  say, 

THE  Almighty  Lord,  who  is  a  most  strong 
tower  to  all  those  who  put  their  trust  in 
him,  to  whom  all  things  in  heaven,  in  earth, 
and  under  the  earth,  do  bow  and  obey.  Be  now 
and  evermore  thy  defence  ;  and  make  thee 
know  and  feel,  that  there  is  none  other  Name 
under  heaven  given  to  man,  in  whom,  and 
through  whom,  thou  mayest  receive  health  and 
salvation,  but  only  the  Name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 

IT  Here  the  Minister  vtay  use  any  part  of  the  service  of  this  Book, 
ivhich,  in  his  discretion,  he  shall  think  C07ivenient  to  the  occa- 
sion ;  and  after  that  shall  say^ 

UNTO  God's  gracious  mercy  and  protection 
we  commit  thee.  The  Lord  bless  thee 
and  keep  thee.  The  Lord  make  his  face  to 
shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee. 
The  Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee, 
and  give  thee  peace,  both  now  and  evermore. 
Am.en. 


THE  COMMUNION  OF  THE  SICK. 


IF  Fortzstnuch  as  all  mortal  men  are  subject  to  many  sudden  perils, 
diseases,  and  sicknesses,  and  ever  uncertaiji  zvkat  time  they  shall 
depart  out  of  this  life  ;  tltereforc ,  to  the  intefit  they  itiay  be  al- 
ivays  ifi  readiness  to  die,  luhensoever  it  shall  please  A  Imighty 
God  to  call  them,  the  Ministers  shall  diligently  /rojn  time  to 
time  {b?{t  especially  in  the  time  of  pestilejice,  or  other  infections 
sickness)  exhort  their  parishioners  to  the  often  receiving  of  the 
Holy  Cotnmnni07t  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  our  Saviour  Christ, 
luheti  it  shall  be  pnblicly  administered  in  the  Church  ;  that  so 
doing,  they  may,  in  case  of  sudden  visitation,  have  the  less  cause 
to  be  disquieted  for  lack  of  the  same.  But  if  the  sick  person  be 
not  able  to  come  to  the  Church,  and  yet  is  desirous  to  receive  the 
Conim24uio7i  in  his  house  ;  then  he  must  give  timely  notice  to  the 
J\Ii7tister,  sigtiifying  also  hoiv  many  there  are  to  commutiicate 
ivith  him,  {zvhich  shall  be  tivo  at  the  least ;)  afid  all  things  nec- 
essary beittg  prepared,  the  Minister  shall  there  celebrate  the 
Holy  Comjnunion.,  beginning  with  the  Collect,  Epistle,  and  Gos- 
pel, li€rcfollowi}ig. 

The  Collect. 


ALMIGHTY,  everliving  God,  Maker  of  man- 
kind, who  dost  correct  those  whom  thou 
dost  love,  and  chastise  every  one  whom  thou 
dost  receive ;  "We  beseech  thee  to  have  mercy 
upon  this  thy  servant  visited  with  thine  hand, 
and  to  grant  that  he  may  take  his  sickness 
patiently,  and  recover  his  bodily  health,  if  it 
be  thy  gracious  v/ill ;  and  that,  whensoever  his 
soul  shall  depart  from  the  body,  it  may  be 
without  spot  presented  unto  thee ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Epistle,     Heb.  xii.  5. 

Y  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of 
the  Lord,  nor  faint  when  thou  art  rebuked 
of  him  :  for  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chas- 
teneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  re- 
ceiveth. 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK.  35 


The  Gospel.     St.  John  v.  24. 

VERILY,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that 
heareth  my  word,  and  believeth  on  him 
that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life,  and  shall 
not  come  into  condemnation ;  but  is  passed 
from  death  unto  life. 


After  %vJiich  the  Minister  shall  proceed  according  to  the  for^m 
prescribed  for  the  Holy  Covimuniou,  begituiing  at  these  words: 

YE  who  do  truly  and  earnestly  repent  you  of 
your  sins,  and  are  in  love  and  charity  with 
your  neighbours,  and  intend  to  lead  a  new  life, 
following  the  commandments  of  God,  and  walk- 
ing from  henceforth  in  his  holy  ways  ;  Draw  near 
with  faith,  and  take  this  holy  Sacrament  to  your 
comfort ;  and  make  your  humble  confession  to 
Almighty  God,  devoutly  kneeling. 


IT  Then  shall  this  General  Confession  Be  made,  by  the  Priest  and 
all  those  who  are  7ni?idedto  receive  the  Holy  Coniiniaiion,  Immbly 
kneelijtg. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  Maker  of  all  things,  Judge  of  all 
men  ;  "We  acknowledge  and  bewail  our  manifold 
sins  and  wickedness.  Which  we,  from  time  to 
time,  most  grievously  have  committed,  By 
thought,  word,  and  deed.  Against  thy  Divine 
Majesty,  Provoking  most  justly  thy  wrath  and 
indignation  against  us.  We  do  earnestly  repent. 
And  are  heartily  sorry  for  these  our  misdoings  ; 
The  remembrance  of  them  is  grievous  unto  us  ; 
The  burden  of  them  is  intolerable.  Have  mercy 
upon  us.  Have  mercy  upon  us,  most  merciful 
Father ;  For  thy  Son  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ's 
sake,  Forgive  us  all  that  is  past;  And  grant  that 
we  may  ever  hereafter  Serve  and  please  thee  In 
newness  of  life.  To  the  honour  and  glory  of  thy 
Name;  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


36  THE   COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK. 


H   The7i  shall  the  Priest  (the  Bishop  if  he  be  present)  stand  up ,  a7id 
ttirnitig  to  the  People,  say, 

LMIGHTY  God,  pur  heavenly  Father,  who 
of  his  great  mercy  hath  promised  forgive- 
ness of  sins  to  all  those  who  with  hearty  repent- 
ance and  true  faith  turn  unto  him ;  Have  mercy 
upon  you  ;  pardon  and  deliver  you  from  all  your 
sins ;  confirm  and  strengthen  you  in  all  good- 
ness ;  and  bring  you  to  everlasting  life  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


TT   Then  shall  the  Priest  say, 

Hear  what  comfortable  words  our  Saviour 
Christ  saith  unto  all  who  truly  turn  to  him. 

COME  unto    me,    all    ye    that    travail    and    are 
heavy   laden,    and    I    will    refresh   you.      St. 
Matt.  xi.  28. 

So  God  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his 
only-begotten  Son,  to  the  end  that  all  that  be- 
lieve in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
lasting life.     St.  John  iii.  16. 

Hear  also  what  Saint  Paul  saith. 

This  is  a  true  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  men 
to  be  received.  That  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners,     i    Tim.  i.  15. 

Hear  also  what  Saint  John  saith. 

If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous;  and  he 
is  the  Propitiation  for  our  sins,  i  St.  John  ii. 
I,  2. 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK.  37 


IT  After  which  the  Priest  shall  proceed,  saying, 

Lift  up  your  hearts. 
AnsweT.     We   lift  them  up   unto   the   Lord. 
Priest.     Let    us    give    thanks    unto    our    Lord 

God. 
Answer.     It   is  meet  and  right  so   to  do. 

IT   T/iefi  shall  the  Priest  turn  to  the  Lord's  Table,  a7id  say, 

IT  is    very  meet,  right,  and  our 
bounden  duty,  that   we  should        #  y,^^^  ^,^^^^ 

at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  give  [Holy    Father] 

thanks  unto  thee,  O  Lord,   [^Holy  nmst  be  omitted  on 

Father,]     Almighty,     Everlasting  Trimty-Sunday. 
God. 

IT  Here  shall  follow  the  Proper  Preface,  according  to  the  titne, 
if  there  be  any  specially  appointed ;  or  else  imtnediately  shall  be 
said  or  sung  by  the  Priest, 

Therefore  with  Angels  and  Archangels,  and 
with  all  the  company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and 
magnify  thy  glorious  Name  ;  evermore  praising 
thee,   and   saying, 

HOLY,  HOLY,    HOLY,    Lord        ^  Priest    and 
God   of  hosts.   Heaven  and    earth     People. 
are   full  of  thy   glory  :    Glory  be  to  thee,  O  Lord 
Most  High.     Amen. 


PROPER    PREFACES. 

Upon  Christmas-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

BECAUSE  thou  didst  give  Jesus  Christ,  thine 
only  Son,  to  be  born  as  at  this  time  for  us  ; 
who,  by  the  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  was 
made  very  man,  of  the  substance  of  the  Virgin 
Mary  his  mother ;  and  that  without  spot  of  sin, 
to  make  us  clean  from  all  sin.  Therefore  with 
Angels,  etc. 


38  THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK. 


Upon  Easter-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

lUT  chiefly  are  we  bound  to  praise  thee  for 
the  glorious  Resurrection  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord :  for  he  is  the  very  Paschal 
Lamb,  which  was  offered  for  us,  and  hath  taken 
away  the  sin  of  the  world ;  who  by  his  death 
hath  destroyed  death,  and  by  his  rising  to  life 
again  hath  restored  to  us  everlasting  life.  There- 
fore with  Angels,  etc. 


Upon  Ascension-day,  a7id  seven  days  after. 

THROUGH  thy  most  dearly  beloved  Son 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ;  who,  after  his  most 
glorious  Resurrection,  manifestly  appeared  to 
all  his  Apostles,  and  in  their  sight  ascended  up 
into  heaven,  to  prepare  a  place  for  us ;  that 
where  he  is,  thither  we  might  also  ascend,  and 
reign  with  him  in  glory.  Therefore  with  Angels, 
etc. 


Upon  Whitsunday,  aiid  six  days  after. 

THROUGH  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord;  according 
to  whose  most  true  promise,  the  Holy  Ghost 
came  down  as  at  this  time  from  heaven,  with  a 
sudden  great  sound,  as  it  had  been  a  mighty 
wind,  in  the  likeness  of  fiery  tongues,  lighting 
upon  the  Apostles,  to  teach  them,  and  to  lead 
them  to  all  truth ;  giving  them  both  the  gift  of 
divers  languages,  and  also  boldness  with  fer- 
vent zeal  constantly  to  preach  the  Gospel  unto 
all  nations ;  whereby  we  have  been  brought  out 
of  darkness  and  error  into  the  clear  light  and 
true  knowledge  of  thee,  and  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ.     Therefore  with  Angels,  etc. 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK.  39 


Upon  the  Feast  of  Trinity  only,  may  be  said, 

WHO  art  one  God,  one  Lord;  not  one  only 
Person,  but  three  Persons  in  one  Sub- 
stance. For  that  which  we  believe  of  the  glory 
of  the  Father,  the  same  we  believe  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  without  any  difference 
or  inequality.     Therefore   with   Angels,  etc. 

IT  Or  else  this  may  be  said,  the  words  [Holy  Father]  being  retainea 
m  tJie  introductory  A  ddrcss. 

FOR  the  precious  death  and  merits  of  thy 
Son  Jesus  (Christ  our  Lord,  and  for  the 
sending  to  us  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter ; 
who  are  one  with  thee  in  thy  Eternal  Godhead. 
Therefore  with  Angels,  etc. 


IT  Then  shall  the  Priest,  kneeling  doamt  at  tJie  Lord''s  Table,  say> 
in  the  name  of  all  those  who  shall  receive  tJie  Cominunioji,  this 
Prayer  following. 

WE  do  not  presume  to  come  to  this  thy 
Table,  O  merciful  Lord,  trusting  in  our 
own  righteousness,  but  in  thy  manifold  and 
great  mercies.  We  are  not  worthy  so  much  as 
to  gather  up  the  crumbs  under  thy  Table.  But 
thou  art  the  same  Lord,  whose  property  is  al- 
ways to  have  mercy :  Grant  us  therefore,  gra- 
cious Lord,  so  to  eat  the  flesh  of  thy  dear  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  drink  his  blood,  that  our 
sinful  bodies  may  be  made  clean  by  his  body, 
and  our  souls  washed  through  his  most  precious 
blood,  and  that  we  may  evermore  dwell  in  him, 
and  he  in  us.     Amen. 


TT  JVhen  the  Priest,  standing  before  the  Table,  hath  so  ordered  the 
Bread  afid  IFijie,  that  he  may  ivith  the  more  readiness  and  de- 
cency break  the  Bread  before  the  People,  and  take  the  Cup  into 
his  ha?ids,  lie  shall  say  the  Prayer  of  Consecration,  as  followeth. 


40  THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK. 


ALL  glory  be  to  thee,  Almighty  God,  our 
heavenly  Father,  for  that  thou,  of  thy 
tender  mercy,  didst  give  thine  only  Son  Jesus 
Christ  to  suffer  death  upon  the  Cross  for  our 
redemption ;  who  made  there  (by  his  one  obla- 
tion of  himself  once  offered)  a  full,  perfect,  and 
sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfaction, 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world;  and  did  insti- 
tute, and  in  his  holy  Gospel  cominand  us  to  con- 
tinue, a  perpetual  memory  of  that  his  precious 
death  and  sacrifice,  until  his  coming  again: 
For  in  the  night  in  which  he  was 
betrayed,  (a)  he  took  Bread  ;  and  ^^^  ^^^^  ^J^^ 
when  he  had  given  thanks,  (fc)  he  Priest  is  to  take 
brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  his  di's-  i^'^  Paten  into  his 
ciples,  saying,  Take,  eat,  (c)  this  is  ^""(^f;^;,,/  hereto 
my  Body,  which  is  given  for  you  ;  break  the  Bread. 
Do  this  in  remembrance  of  me.  fc)  A>idhereto 
Likewise,  after  supper,  (d)  he  took  J^J^fiw. ''''''' 
the  Cup;  and  when  he  had  given  (d)  Here  he  is  to 
thanks,  he  gave  it  to  them,  saying,  i(^^^  i^^e  C^ip  into 
Drink  ye  all  of  this;  for  (e)  this"  '"JeM^^^  W  A. 
is  my  Blood  of  the  New  Testa-  is  to  lay  his  hand 
ment,  which  is  shed  for  you,   and    ^pon   every  vessel 

r-,_     ..~>„_,.      r„-.    *.\^ ^      _„.~,:^„;„„      ^i     in   ivhich   there   is 

for    many,    for   the     remission    of    ^^^^    ^^.-^^^    ^^  ^^ 
sins ;   Do  this,   as  oft  as  ye  shall    consecrated. 
drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me. 


The    Oblation, 


'HEREFORE,  O  Lord  and 
heavenly  Father,  according 
to  the  institution  of  thy  dearly  beloved  Son 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  we,  thy  humble  ser- 
vants, do  celebrate  and  make  here  before  thy 
Divine  Majesty,  with  these  thy  holy  gifts,  which 
we  now  offer  unto  thee,  the  memorial  thy  Son 
hath  commanded  us  to  make  ;  having  in  re- 
membrance his  blessed  passion  and  precious 
death,  his  mighty  resurrection  and  glorious 
ascension ;  rendering  unto  thee  most  hearty 
thanks  for  the  innumerable  benefits  procured 
unto  us  by  the   same. 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK.  41 


AND  we  most  humbly  beseech 
thee,     O     merciful     Father,     to  ^^'^   Invocation 

hear  us  ;  and,  of  thy  almighty  goodness,  vouch- 
safe to  bless  and  sanctify,  with  thy  Word  and 
Holy  Spirit,  these  thy  gifts  and  creatures  of 
bread  and  wine ;  that  we,  receiving  them  ac- 
cording to  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ's 
holy  institution,  in  remembrance  of  his  death 
and  passion,  may  be  partakers  of  his  most 
blessed  Body  and   Blood. 

ND  we  earnestly  desire  thy  fatherly  good- 
ness, mercifully  to  accept  this  our  sacrifice 
of  praise  and  thanksgiving;  most  humbly  be- 
seeching thee  to  grant  that,  by  the  merits  and 
death  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  through 
faith  in  his  blood,  we,  and  all  thy  whole 
Church,  may  obtain  remission  of  our  sins",  and 
all  other  benefits  of  his  passion.  And  here  we 
offer  and  present  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  our  selves, 
our  souls  and  bodies,  to  be  a  reasonable,  holy, 
and  living  sacrifice  unto  thee  ;  humbly  beseech- 
ing thee,  that  we,  and  all  others  who  shall  be 
partakers  of  this  Holy  Communion,  may  worth- 
ily receive  the  most  precious  Body  and  Blood  of 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  be  filled  with  thy  grace  and 
heavenly  benediction,  and  made  one  body  with 
him,  that  he  may  dwell  in  us,  and  we  in  him. 
And  although  we  are  unworthy,  through  our 
manifold  sins,  to  offer  unto  thee  any  sacrifice ; 
yet  we  beseech  thee  to  accept  this  our  bounden 
duty  and  service  ;  not  weighing  our  merits,  but 
pardoning  our  offences,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord  ;  by  whom.,  and  with  whom,  in  the 
unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  all  honour  and  glory 
be  unto  thee,  O  Father  Almighty,  world  with- 
out end.     Am.en. 

IT  Here  may  be  simg  a  Hymn. 


42  THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK. 


IT  Then  shall  the  Priest  Jirst  receive  the  Holy  Cominunio7i  in  both 
kinds  himself,  and  proceed  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  Bishops, 
Priests,  a>id  Deacons,  in  like  nia>iner,  {if  atiy  be  present,)  atid, 
after  that,  to  the  People  also  in  order,  into  their  hafids,  all  de- 
voutly k7ieeling.  A  nd  sufficient  opportiuiity  shall  be  given  to 
those  preseiit  to  commJinicate.  A  nd  when  he  delivereth  the 
Bread,  he  shall  say, 

THE  Body  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which 
was  given  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and 
soul  unto  everlasting  life.  Take  and  eat  this  in 
remembrance  that  Christ  died  for  thee,  and  feed 
on  him  in  thy  heart   by  faith,  with  thanksgiving. 

n  A  nd  the  Minister  who  delivereth  the  Cup  shall  say, 

THE  Blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which 
was  shed  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and 
soul  unto  everlasting  life.  Drink  this  in  remem- 
brance that  Christ's  Blood  was  shed  for  thee, 
and  be  thankful. 

IT  If  the  consecrated  Bread  or  Wi7te  be  spent  before  all  have  com- 
■mnnicated,  the  Priest  is  to  cojisecrate  more,  accordijtg  to  the 
Form  before  prescribed ;  beginiiing  at,  All  glory  be  to  thee, 
Almighty  God,  a?id  e?iding  with  these  words,  partakers  of  his 
most  blessed  Body  and  Blood. 

IT  IVheit  all  have  coninninicated,  the  Minister  shall  return  to  the 
Lord''s  Table,  and  reverently  place  upo)i  it  ivhnt  remaijieih  of 
the  consecrated  Eletnents,  covering  the  same  with  a  fair  listen 
cloth. 

IT   The7t  shall  the  Minister  say  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  People  re 
peati7ig  after  hi7n  every  Petitio7i. 

OUR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed 
be  thy  Name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth.  As  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  As  we  forgive  those  who  trespass 
against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation  ; 
But  deliver  us  from  evil :  For  thine  is  the  king- 
dom, and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK.  43 


IT  After  shall  be  said  as  followeth. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everliving  God,  we  most 
heartily  thank  thee,  for  that  thou  dost 
vouchsafe  to  feed  us  who  have  duly  received 
these  holy  mysteries,  with  the  spiritual  food 
of  the  most  precious  Body  and  Blood  of  thy 
Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  dost  assure 
us  thereby  of  thy  favour  and  goodness  towards 
us ;  and  that  we  are  very  members  incorporate 
in  the  mystical  body  of  thy  Son,  which  is  the 
blessed  company  of  all  faithful  people ;  and 
are  also  heirs  through  hope  of  thy  everlasting 
kingdom,  by  the  merits  of  the  most  precious 
death  and  passion  of  thy  dear  Son.  And  we 
most  humbly  beseech  thee,  O  heavenly  Father, 
so  to  assist  us  with  thy  grace,  that  we  may 
continue  in  that  holy  fellowship,  and  do  all 
such  good  works  as  thou  hast  prepared  for  us 
to  walk  in;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  to 
whom,  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all 
honour  and  glory,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

IT   Then  shall  be  said  or  su7ig,  all  stayiding;  Gloria  in  excelsis;  or 
some  proper  Hymn  from  the  Selection. 

GLORY  be  to  God  on  high,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  towards  men.  We  praise 
thee,  we  bless  thee,  we  worship  thee,  we  glorify 
thee,  we  give  thanks  to  thee  for  thy  great 
glory,  O  Lord  God,  heavenly  King,  God  the 
Father  Almighty. 

O  Lord,  the  only-begotten  Son,  Jesus  Christ; 
O  Lord  God,  Lamb  of  God,  Son  of  the  Father, 
that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  have 
mercy  upon  us.  Thou  that  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon  us.  Thou 
that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  receive 
our  prayer.  Thou  that  sittest  at  the  right 
hand  of  God  the  Father,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

For  thou  only  art  holy ;  thou  only  art  the 
Lord  ;  thou  only,  O  Christ,  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  art  most  high  in  the  glory  of  God  the 
Father.     Amen. 


44  THE    COMMUNION    OF    THE    SICK. 


IT  Then  the  Priest  {the  Bishop  if  he  be  present)  shall  let  them  de- 
part with  this  Blessing. 

THE  Peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in 
the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  of  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  :  And  the  Blessing  of 
God  Almighty,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  be  amongst  you  and  remain  with 
you  always.     Amen. 

^  At  the  time  of  the  distridntion  of  the  holy  Sacrament,  the  Min- 
ister shall  first  receive  the  Comimttiion  himself  and  after  min- 
ister unto  those  who  are  appointed  to  C07nmzmicate  with  the  sick, 
and  last  of  all  to  the  sick  person, 

IT  In  the  times  of  contagio7is  sickness  or  disease,  or  whe7t  extreme 
iveakness  renders  it  expedient,  the  following  form  shall  suffice  : 
The  Confession  and  the  A  bsolntion ;  Lift  up  your  hearts,  etc. 
through  the  Sanctus ;  7"/^!?  Prayer  of  Consecration,  endi7ig  with 
these  words,  partakers  of  his  most  blessed  Body  and  Blood; 
The  Commufzion  ;    'The  Lord  s  Prayer  ;   The  Blessing. 

IT  But  if  a  man,  either  by  reason  of  extreinity  of  sick7iess,  or  for 
wa7it  of  ivarni7ig  /«  due  ti77ie  to  the  Mi/iister,  or  for  lack  of 
co77ipa7iy  to  receive  ivith  hi7ii,  or  by  any  other  just  i77ipedi7/ie7it, 
do  7iot  receive  the  Sacrai7ie7it  of  Christ'' s  Body  a7id  Blood,  the 
Mi7uster  shall  i7istruct  him,  that  if  he  do  triily  repe7tt  hi77i  of 
his  si7is,  a7id  stedfastly  believe  that  fesus  Christ  hath  suffered 
death  up07i  the  Cross  for  hi7n,  a/id  shed  his  Blood  for  his  re- 
de77iptio7i,  ear7iestly  re77ie7nberi7ig  the  benefits  he  hath  thereby, 
a7id givi7ig  hi77i  hearty  tha7iks  therefor,  he  doth  eat  and  dri/ik 
the  Body  ajid  Blood  of  our  Saviour  Christ  profitably  to  his 
souPs  health,  although  he  do  7iot  receive  the  Sacrat7ie7it  with  his 
tnojith. 

IT  Whe7i  the  sick  perso7t  is  visited,  a7id  receiveth  the  Holy  Coni- 
mu7iio7i  all  at  one  ti7/ie,  the7i  the  Mi7iister,for  i7iore  expeditio7i, 
shall  ctit  off  the  for77i  of  the  Visitation  at  the  Psah/i,  a7id  go 
straight  to  the  Comimi7iio7i. 

IT  hi  the  times  of  cotitagions  sick7iess  or  disease,  whe7i  7ione  of  the 
Parish  or  neighbours  ca7i  be  gotte7i  to  co77i7nu7iicate  ivith  the  sick 
i7i  their  houses,  for  fear  of  the  i7ifectio7i,  upon  special  request  of 
the  diseased,  the  Minister  alo7ie  may  co77ijnu7iicate  with  hi7n. 

IT  This  Office  may  be  used  with  aged  and  bed-ridde7i  persons,  or 
such  as  are  7tot  able  to  atte/id  the  public  Miiiistratio7i  in  Church, 
substituting  the  Collect,  Epistle,  a7id  Gospel  for  the  Day,  for 
those  appointed  above. 


THE    ORDER    FOR 

THE    BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 


IT  Here  is  to  be  noted,  that  the  Office  ensuing  is  7iot  to  be  used  for 
afzy  nnbaptized  aduits,  any  who  die  exconifnjtnicate,  or  zvho 
have  laid  violent  hands  upoti  themselves. 

IT  The  Minister,  meeting  the  Corpse  at  the  entra7i.ce  of  the  Chiirch- 
yard,  atid  going  be/ore  it,  either  into  the  Church  or  towards  the 
Grave,  shall  say  or  sing, 

I  AM  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  saith  the 
Lord :  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he 
were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live  :  and  whosoever 
liveth  and  believeth  in  me,  shall  never  die.  St. 
John  xi.  25,  26. 

I  KNOW  that  my  redeemer  liveth,  and  that 
he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the 
earth  :  and  though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy 
this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God : 
whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes 
shall  behold,  and  not  another.  Job  xix.  25,  26, 
27. 

WE  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it 
is  certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out.  The 
Lord  gave,  and  the  LORD  hath  taken  away ; 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  LORD.  i  Tim.  vi. 
7.     Job  i.  21. 

IT  After  they  are  come  into  the  Church,  shall  be  said  or  sung  one 
or  both  0/  the  following  Selections,  taketifrotn  the  j,c)th  anil  qoth 
Psalms. 

ORD,  let  me  know  mine  end,  and  the  num- 
ber  of   my   days :     that    I    may    be    certified 
hov/  long  I  have  to  live. 

Behold,  thou  hast  made  my  days  as  it  were  a 
span  long:  and  mine  age  is  even  as  nothing 
in  respect  of  thee  ;  and  verily  every  man  living 
is  altogether  vanity. 


46  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 


For  man  walketh  in  a  vain  shadow,  and  dis- 
quieteth  himself  in  vain  :  he  heapeth  up  riches, 
and    cannot   tell   who    shall   gather   them. 

And  now,  Lord,  what  is  my  hope  :  truly  my 
hope   is   even  in  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  all  mine  offences  :  and  make 
me   not   a   rebuke   unto  the   foolish. 

When  thou  with  rebukes  dost  chasten  man 
for  sin,  thou  makest  his  beauty  to  consume 
away,  like  as  it  were  a  moth  fretting  a  gar- 
ment :   every  man  therefore   is   but  vanity. 

Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord,  and  with  thine 
cars  consider  my  calling :  hold  not  thy  peace 
at  my  tears. 

For  I  am  a  stranger  with  thee,  and  a  so- 
journer :    as   all   my   fathers  were. 

O  spare  me  a  little,  that  I  may  recover  my 
strength :  before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more 
seen. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son :  and 
to  the  Holy  Ghost; 

As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever 
shall  be :  world  without  end.     Amen. 

LORD,  thou  hast  been  our  refuge :  from  one 
generation   to   another. 

Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth,  or 
ever  the  earth  and  the  world  were  made  :  thou 
art  God  from  everlasting,  and  world  without  end. 

Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction  :  again  thou 
sayest.    Come  again,   ye   children  of  men. 

For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight  are  but  as 
yesterday :  seeing  that  is  past  as  a  watch  in  the 
night. 

As  soon  as  thou  scatterest  them  they  are  even 
as  a  sleep :  and  fade  away  suddenly  like  the 
grass. 

In  the  morning  it  is  green,  and  groweth  up : 
but  in  the  evening  it  is  cut  down,  dried  up, 
and  withered. 

For  we  consume  away  in  thy  displeasure : 
and   are  afraid  at  thy   wrathful  indignation. 

Thou  hast  set  our  misdeeds  before  thee  :  and 
our  secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 


BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD.  47 


For  when  thou  art  angry  all  our  days  are 
gone  :  we  bring  our  years  to  an  end,  as  it  were 
a  tale   that  is  told. 

The  days  of  our  age  are  threescore  years  and 
ten ;  and  though  men  be  so  strong  that  they 
come  to  fourscore  years :  yet  is  their  strength 
then  but  labour  and  sorrow ;  so  soon  passeth 
it  away,   and  we   are   gone. 

O  teach  us  to  number  our  days  :  that  we  may 
apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son :  and 
to  the   Holy   Ghost ; 

As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever 
shall  be :    world  without   end.     Amen. 

H   Then  sJuxll follozv  the  Lesson,  taken  out  of  the  fifteenth  Chapter 
of  the  first  Epistle  of  St.  Patd  to  the  Coritithiaiis. 

I    Cor.  XV.    20. 

NOW  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and  be- 
come the  firstfruits  of  them  that  slept. 
For  since  by  man  came  death,  by  man  came 
also  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  For  as  in 
Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be 
made  alive.  But  every  man  in  his  own  order  : 
Christ  the  firstfruits ;  afterward  they  that  are 
Christ's  at  his  coming.  Then  cometh  the  end, 
when  he  shall  have  delivered  up  the  kingdom 
to  God,  even  the  Father;  v/hen  he  shall  have 
put  down  all  rule  and  all  authority  and  power. 
For  he  must  reign,  till  he  hath  put  all  enemies 
under  his  feet.  The  last  enemy  that  shall  be 
destroyed  is  death.  For  he  hath  put  all  things 
under  his  feet.  But  when  he  saith  all  things 
are  put  under  him,  it  is  manifest  that  he  is 
excepted,  which  did  put  all  things  under  him. 
And  when  all  things  shall  be  subdued  unto  him, 
then  shall  the  Son  also  himself  be  subject  unto 
him  that  put  all  things  under  him,  that  God  may 
be  all  in  all.  Else  what  shall  they  do  which 
are  baptized  for  the  dead,  if  the  dead  rise  not  at 
all  ?  why  are  they  then  baptized  for  the  dead  ? 
and  why   stand   we   in  jeopardy   every  houv  ?      I 


48  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 


protest  by  your  rejoicing  which  I  have  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord,  I  die  daily.  If  after  the  man- 
ner of  men  I  have  fought  with  beasts  at  Ephe- 
sus,  what  advantageth  it  me,  if  the  dead  rise 
not  ?  let  us  eat  and  drink  ;  for  to  morrow  we  die. 
Be  not  deceived;  evil  communications  corrupt 
good  manners.  Awake  to  righteousness,  and 
sin  not ;  for  some  have  not  the  knowledge  of 
God :  I  speak  this  to  your  shame.  But  some 
man  will  say,  How  are  the  dead  raised  up  ?  and 
with  v^^hat  body  do  they  come  ?  Thou  fool,  that 
which  thou  sowest  is  not  quickened,  except  it 
die :  and  that  which  thou  sowest,  thou  sowest 
not  that  body  that  shall  be,  but  bare  grain,  it 
may  chance  of  wheat,  or  of  some  other  grain: 
but  God  giveth  it  a  body  as  it  hath  pleased 
him,  and  to  every  seed  his  own  body.  All  fliesh 
is  not  the  same  flesh  :  but  there  is  one  kind  of 
flesh  of  men,  another  flesh  of  beasts,  another 
of  fishes,  and  another  of  birds.  There  are  also 
celestial  bodies,  and  bodies  terrestrial :  but  the 
glory  of  the  celestial  is  one,  and  the  glory  of 
the  terrestrial  is  another.  There  is  one  glory 
of  the  sun,  and  another  glory  of  the  moon,  and 
another  glory  of  the  stars  :  for  one  star  differeth 
from  another  star  in  glory.  So  also  is  the  res- 
urrection of  the  dead.  It  is  sown  in  corruption; 
it  is  raised  in  incorruption :  it  is  sown  in  dis- 
honour ;  it  is  raised  in  glory  :  it  is  sown  in  weak- 
ness ;  it  is  raised  in  power :  it  is  sown  a  natural 
body ;  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body.  There  is 
a  natural  body,  and  there  is  a  spiritual  body. 
And  so  it  is  written,  The  first  man  Adam  was 
made  a  living  soul;  the  last  Adam  was  made  a 
quickening  spirit.  Howbeit  that  was  not  first 
which  is  spiritual,  but  that  which  is  natural ;  and 
afterward  that  which  is  spiritual.  The  first  man 
is  of  the  earth,  earthy:  the  second  man  is  the 
Lord  from  heaven.  As  is  the  earthy,  such  are 
they  also  that  are  earthy:  and  as  is  the  heavenly, 
such  are  they  also  that  are  heavenly.  And  as 
we  have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthy,  we  shall 
also  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly.  Now  this 
I  say,  brethren,  that  fiesh  and  blood  cannot  in- 


BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD.  49 


herit  the  kingdom  of  God ;  neither  doth  corrup- 
tion inherit  incorruption.  Behold,  I  shew  you 
a  mystery ;  We  shall  not  all  sleep,  but  we  shall 
all  be  changed,  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump  :  for  the  trumpet 
shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be  raised  incor- 
ruptible, and  we  shall  be  changed.  For  this 
corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption,  and  this 
mortal  must  put  on  im.mortality.  So  when  this 
corruptible  shall  have  put  on  incorruption,  and 
this  mortal  shall  have  put  on  immortality,  then 
shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  writ- 
ten, Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.  O  death, 
where  is  thy  sting  ?  O  grave,  where  is  thy  vic- 
tory ?  The  sting  of  death  is  sin ;  and  the  strength 
of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  which 
giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be 
ye  stedfast,  unmoveable,  always  abounding 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye 
know  that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the 
Lord. 

If  Here  may  be  sung"  a  HyviJi  or  an  A  nthein  ;  and.,  at  the  dis- 
cretioti  of  t lie  Minister ^  the  Creed,  and  sjtch  fitting  Prayers 
as  are  elsewhere  provided  in  this  Book,  may  be  added. 

IT  IVhen  they  come  to  the  Grave,  ivhile  the  Corpse  is  made  ready 
to  be  laid  into  the  earth,  shall  be  snng  or  said, 

"AN,  that  is  born  of  a  woman,  hath  but  a 
short  time  to  live,  and  is  full  of  misery. 
He  Cometh  up,  and  is  cut  down,  like  a  flower; 
he  fleeth  as  it  were  a  shadov/,  and  never  con- 
tinueth  in  one   stay. 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death  ;  of  whom 
may  we  seek  for  succour,  but  of  thee,  O  Lord, 
who  for  our  sins  art  justly  displeased  ? 

Yet,  O  Lord  God  m.ost  holy,  O  Lord  most 
mighty,  O  holy  and  most  merciful  Saviour, 
deliver  us  not  into  the  bitter  pains  of  eternal 
death. 

Thou  knowest,  Lord,  the  secrets  of  our  hearts  ; 
shut  not  thy  merciful  ears  to  our  prayer;  but 
spare  us.  Lord  most  holy,  O  God  most  mighty, 


50  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 


O  holy  and  merciful  Saviour,  thou  most  worthy 
Judge  eternal,  suffer  us  not,  at  our  last  hour, 
for  any  pains  of  death,  to  fall  from  thee. 

IT   Tlien,  while  the  earth  shall  be  cast  upon  the  Body  by  some stand- 
mg  by,  the  minister  shall  say, 

FORASMUCH  as  it  hath  pleased  Almighty 
God,  in  his  wise  providence,  to  take  out  of 
this  world  the  soul  of  our  deceased  bi'other,  we 
therefore  commit  his  body  to  the  ground  ;  earth 
to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust ;  looking 
for  the  general  Resurrection  in  the  last  day, 
and  the  life  of  the  world  to  come,  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  at  whose  second  coming  in 
glorious  majesty  to  judge  the  world,  the  earth 
and  the  sea  shall  give  up  their  dead ;  and  the 
corruptible  bodies  of  those  who  sleep  in  him 
shall  be  changed,  and  made  like  unto  his  own 
glorious  body ;  according  to  the  mighty  work- 
ing whereby  he  is  able  to  subdue  all  things  unto 
himself. 

H  Then  shall  be  said  or  sung, 

HEARD  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto 
me.  Write,  From  henceforth  blessed  are  the 
dead  who  die  in  the  Lord :  even  so  saith  the 
Spirit ;  for  they  rest  from  their  labours.  Rev. 
xiv.  13. 

^   Then  the  Alinister  shall  say. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

OUR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be 
thy  Name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will 
be  done  on  earth.  As  it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us 
this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us  our 
trespasses.  As  we  forgive  those  who  trespass 
against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation; 
But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 


BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD.  51 


T  TIie7i  tJte  Minister  shall  say  one  or  both  0/  thefollowing  Prayers, 
at  his  discretioti. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  with  whom  do  live  the  y^ 
spirits  of  those  who  depart  hence  in  the 
Lord,  and  with  whom  the  souls  of  the  faithful, 
after  they  are  delivered  from  the  burden  of  the 
flesh,  are  in  joy  and  felicity ;  "We  give  thee 
hearty  thanks  for  the  good  examples  of  all  those 
thy  servants,  who,  having  finished  their  course 
in  faith,  do  now  rest  from  their  labours.  And 
we  beseech  thee,  that  we,  with  all  those  who  are 
departed  in  the  true  faith  of  thy  holy  Name, 
may  have  our  perfect  consummation  and  bliss, 
both  in  body  and  soul,  in  thy  eternal  and  ever- 
lasting glory;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Axaen. 

O  MERCIFUL  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  Resurrection  and 
the  Life ;  in  whom  whosoever  believeth,  shall 
live,  though  he  die  ;  and  whosoever  liveth,  and 
believeth  in  him,  shall  not  die  eternally;  who 
also  hath  taught  us,  by  his  holy  Apostle  Saint 
Paul,  not  to  be  sorry,  as  men  without  hope,  for 
those  who  sleep  in  him  ;  We  humbly  beseech 
thee,  O  Father,  to  raise  us  from  the  death  of 
sin  unto  the  life  of  righteousness ;  that,  when 
we  shall  depart  this  life,  we  may  rest  in  him  ; 
and  that,  at  the  general  Resurrection  in  the  last 
day,  we  may  be  found  acceptable  in  thy  sight ; 
and  receive  that  blessing,  v/hich  thy  well-be- 
loved Son  shall  then  pronounce  to  all  who  love 
and  fear  thee,  saying.  Come,  ye  blessed  children 
of  my  Father,  receive  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you  from  the  beginning  of  the  world.  Grant 
this,  we  beseech  thee,  O  merciful  Father,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Mediator  and  Redeemer. 
Amen. 

THE  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  with  us  all  evermore.     Amen. 

IT  InasnuicJi  as  it  may  soinctiiiies  be  expedieftt  to  say  under  shelter 
of  the  Church  the  whole  or  a  part  of  the  service  appointed  to  be 
said  at  the  Grave,  the  same  is  hereby  allcnoed  for  weighty  cause 


^ 


52  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 


At  the  Burial  of  the  Dead  at  Sea. 

IT  The  same  office  jnay  be  used ;  but  hi  the  Sentence  of  Cominittal, 
the  Minister  shall  say, 

"We  therefore  commit  his  body  to  the  deep, 
looking  for  the  general  Resurrection  in  the 
last  day,  and  the  life  of  the  world  to  come, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  at  whose  second 
coming  in  glorious  majesty  to  judge  the  world, 
the  sea  shall  give  up  her  dead ;  and  the  cor- 
ruptible bodies  of  those  who  sleep  in  him  shall 
be  changed,  and  made  like  unto  his  glorious 
body;  according  to  the  mighty  working  where- 
by he  is  able  to  subdue  all  things  unto  himself. 


At  the  Burial  of  Children, 

H  For  the  Sente^tces. 

THUS  saith  the  Lord  ;  Refrain  thy  voice  from 
weeping,  and  thine  eyes  from  tears :  for 
thy  work  shall  be  rewarded,  saith  the  Lord ; 
and  they  shall  come  again  from  the  land  of  the 
enemy.  And  there  is  hope  in  thine  end,  saith 
the  Lord,  that  thy  children  shall  come  again  to 
their  own  border.     Jeremiah  xxxi.  16,  17. 

HE  shall  feed   his    flock   like    a    shepherd :    he 
shall   gather   the   lambs    with   his  arm,  and 
carry  them  in  his  bosom.     Isaiah  xl.  11. 

But  Jesus  called  them  unto  him,  and  said, 
Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and 
forbid  them  not :  for  of  such  is  the  Kingdom 
of  God.     Luke  xviii.  16. 

THEY  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst 
any  more ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on 
them,  nor  any  heat.  For  the  Lamb  which  is  in 
the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and 
shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains  of  waters  : 
and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their 
eyes.     Revelation  vii.  16,  17. 


BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD.  53 

- 

vj^jy ie^H.'^Zr."  IT  For  the  Psalm.       hS^^L^  A'-^f^^    ^^^^ 

GOD  is  our  hope  and  strength:    a   very  pres- 
ent help  in  trouble. 

Therefore  will  we  not  fdar,  though  the  earth 
be  moved  :  and  though  the  hills  be  carried  into 
the  midst  of  the  sea  ; 

Though    the    waters   thereof    rage    and    swell : 
and  though  the  mountains  shake  at  the  tempest 
of  the  same. 
;       The    rivers    of    the    flood    thereof    shall    make 
i  glad    the    city   of    God  :    the    holy    place    of    the 
'  tabernacle  of  the  Most  Highest. 
/       God    is    in    the    midst    of    her,    therefore    shall 
she    not    be    removed :    God    shall   help    her,   and 
that  right  early 

Be  still  then,  and  know  that  I  am  God :  I 
will  be  exalted  among  the  heathen,  and  I  will 
be  exalted  in  the  earth. 

The  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us  :  the  God  of 
Jacob  is  our  refuge 

Yea,  like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  own  children : 
even  so  is  the  Lord  merciful  unto  them  that 
fear   him. 

For  he  knoweth  whereof  we  are  made  :  he 
remembereth   that  we  are   but  dust. 

The  days  of  man  are  but  as  grass :  for  he 
flourisheth  as  a  flower  of  the  field. 

For  as  soon  as  the  wind  goeth  over  it,  it 
is  gone  :  and  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it 
no   more. 

But  the  merciful  goodness  of  the  Lord 
endureth  for  ever  and  ever  upon  them  that  fear 
him :  and  his  righteousness  upon  children's 
children  ; 

Even  upon  such  as  keep  his  covenant  :  and 
think  upon  his  commandments  to  do  them. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son  :  and 
to  the  Holy  Ghost ; 

As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever 
shall   be :   world  without  end.     Amen. 


54  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 

THE  Lord  is  my  shepherd:  therefore  can  I 
lack  nothing. 

He  shall  feed  me  in  a  green  pasture:  and 
lead  me  forth  beside  the  waters  of  comfort. 

He  shall  convert  my  soul:  and  bring  me 
forth  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his 
Name's   sake. 

Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for 
thou  art  with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  com- 
fort me. 

Thou  shalt  prepare  a  table  before  me 
against  them  that  trouble  me  :  thou  hast  anointed 
my  head  with  oil,  and  my  cup  shall  be  full. 

But  thy  loving-kindness  and  mercy  shall 
follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life :  and  I  will 
dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son :  and 
to  the  Holy  Ghost ; 

As  it  v/as  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever 
shall  be  :    world  without  end.     Amen. 

'5--H/yVN.d''Wv' .        IT  For  the  Lesson.   J^t  \  P*^  >  V  ^ 

AND  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth: 
for  the  first  heaven  and  the  first  earth  were 
passed  away  ;  and  there  was  no  more  sea.  And 
I  John  saw  the  holy  city,  new  Jerusalem,  com- 
ing down  from  God  out  of  heaven,  prepared  as 
a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband.  And  I  heard 
a  great  voice  out  of  heaven  saying.  Behold,  the 
tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men,  and  he  will 
dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  people, 
and  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be 
their  God.  And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  their  eyes ;  and  there  shall  be  no  more 
death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall 
there  be  any  more  pain :  for  the  former  things 
are  passed  away.  And  he  that  sat  upon  the 
throne  said,  Behold,  I  make  all  things  new.  And 
he  said  unto  me,  "Write  :  for  these  words  are 
true  and  faithful.  And  he  said  unto  me,  It  is 
done.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning 
and  the  end.  I  will  give  unto  him  that  is  athirst 
of  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  He 
that    overcometh    shall   inherit   all    things;    and 


BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD.  55 


I  will  be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son.  But 
the  fearful,  and  unbelieving,  and  the  abomi- 
nable, and  murderers,  and  whoremongers,  and 
sorcerers,  and  idolaters,  and  all  liars,  shall  have 
their  part  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with  fire 
and  brimstone  :  which  is  the  second  death.  And 
there  came  unto  me  one  of  the  seven  angels, 
which  had  the  seven  vials  full  of  the  seven  last 
plagues,  and  talked  with  me,  saying.  Come! 
hither,  I  will  shew  thee  the  bride,  the  Lamb's  wij[Q^ 
And  he  carried  me  away  in  the  spirit  to  a  great 
and  high  mountain,  and  shewed  me  that  great 
city,  the  holy  Jerusalem,  descending  out  of 
heaven  from  God,  having  the  glory  of  God: 
and  her  light  was  like  unto  a  stone  most  precious, 
even  like  a  jasper-stone,  clear  as  crystal ;  and 
had  a  wall  great  and  high,  and  had  twelve  gates, 
and  at  the  gates  twelve  angels,  and  names 
written  thereon,  which  are  the  names  of  the 
twelve  tribes  of  the  children  of  Israel:  on  the 
east,  three  gates ;  on  the  north,  three  gates ; 
on  the  south,  three  gates ;  and  on  the  west,  three 
gates.  And  the  wall  of  the  city  had  twelve 
foundations,  and  in  them  the  names  of  the  twelve 
apostles  of  the  Lamb.  And  he  that  talked  with 
me  had  a  golden  reed  to  measure  the  city,  and 
the  gates  thereof,  and  the  wall  thereof.  And 
the  city  lieth  foursquare,  and  the  length  is  as 
large  as  the  breadth :  and  he  measured  the  city 
with  the  reed,  twelve  thousand  furlongs.  The 
length  and  the  breadth  and  the  height  of  it  are 
equal.  And  he  measured  the  wall  thereof,  an 
hundred  and  forty  and  four  cubits,  according 
to  the  measure  of  a  man,  that  is,  of  the  angel. 
And  the  building  of  the  wall  of  it  was  of  jasper  : 
and  the  city  was  pure  gold,  like  unto  clear  glass. 
And  the  foundations  of  the  wall  of  the  city  were 
garnished  with  all  manner  of  precious  stones. 
The  first  foundation  was  jasper;  the  second, 
sapphire;  the  third,  a  chalcedony;  the  fourth,  ; 
an  emerald  ;  the  fifth,  sardonyx  ;  the  sixth,  sardius;  ' 
the  seventh,  chrysolyte ;  the  eighth,  beryl;! 
the  ninth,  a  topaz  ;  the  tenth,  a  chrysoprasus  ;  the  ' 
eleventh,  a  jacinth  ;  the  twelfth,  an  amethyst.j 
And   the   twelve  gates  were  twelve  pearls ;  ev^ry 


56  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 


several  gate  was  of  one  pearl ;  and  the  street 
of  the  city  was  pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent 
glass.  And  I  saw  no  temple  therein :  for  the 
Lord  God  Almighty  and  the  Lamb  are  the 
temple  of  it.  And  the  city  had  no  need  of  the 
sun,  neither  of  the  moon,  to  shine  in  it :  for  the 
glory  of  God  did  lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is 
the  light  thereof.  And  the  nations  of  them 
which  are  saved  shall  walk  in  the  light  of  it : 
and  the  kings  of  the  earth  do  bring  their  glory 
and  honour  into  it.  And  the  gates  of  it  shall 
not  be  shut  at  all  by  day ;  for  there  shall  be  no 
night  there.  And  they  shall  bring  the  glory  and 
honour  of  the  nations  into  it.  And  there  shall 
in  no  wise  enter  into  it  any  thing  that  defileth, 
neither  whatsoever  worketh  abomination,  or 
maketh  a  lie  :  but  they  v/hich  are  written  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life.  And  he  shewed  me  a  pure 
river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceed- 
ing out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb. 
In  the  midst  of  the  street  of  it,  and  on  either 
side  of  the  river,  was  there  the  tree  of  life,  which 
bare  twelve  manner  of  fruits,  and  yielded  her 
fruit  every  month ;  and  the  leaves  of  the  tree 
were  for  the  healing  of  the  nations.  And  there 
shall  be  no  more  curse  :  but  the  throne  of  God 
and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  it ;  and  his  servants 
shall  serve  him  :  and  they  shall  see  his  face ; 
and  his  name  shall  be  in  their  foreheads.  And 
there  shall  be  no  night  there ;  and  they  need 
no  candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun ;  for  the 
Lord  God  giveth  them  light :  and  they  shall  * 
reign  for  ever  and  ever.  Revelation  xxi.,  i — xxii.,  5,   "^ 

^  I^c?r  the  Sentence  of  Committal. 

'ORASMUCH  as  it  hath  pleased  Almighty 
God  our  heavenly  Father,  to  take  away  the 
soul  of  this  child,  from  the  evil  to  come,  we 
therefore  commit  liis  body  to  the  ground ;  earth 
to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust ;  in  sure 
and  certain  hope  of  the  resurrection  to  eternal 
life,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  For  if  we 
believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even 
so  them  also  which  sleep  in  Jesus,  will  God 
bring  with  him.     Amen. 


>RAYERS. 


THE  COLLECTS  FOR  THE 
CHRISTIAN  YEAR. 

The  First  Sunday  in  Advent. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  give  us  grace  that  we  may 
cast  away  the  works  of  darkness,  and  put 
upon  us  the  armour  of  light,  now  in  the  time 
of  this  mortal  life,  in  which  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ 
came  to  visit  us  in  great  humility ;  that  in  the 
last  day,  when  he  shall  come  again  in  his  glorious 
majesty  to  judge  both  the  quick  and  the  dead, 
we  may  rise  to  the  life  immortal,  through  him 
who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  now  and  ever.     Amen. 

The  Second  Sunday  in  Advent, 

BLESSED  Lord,  who  hast  caused  all  holy 
Scriptures  to  be  written  for  our  learning; 
Grant  that  we  may  in  such  wise  hear  them, 
read,  mark,  learn,  and  inwardly  digest  them, 
that  by  patience  and  comfort  of  thy  holy  ^A^ord, 
we  may  embrace,  and  ever  hold  fast,  the  blessed 
hope  of  everlasting  life,  which  thou  hast  given 
us  in  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

The  Third  Sunday  in  Advent. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  at  thy  first  com- 
ing didst  send  thy  messenger  to  prepare 
thy  way  before  thee  ;  Grant  that  the  ministers 
and  stewards  of  thy  mysteries  may  likewise  so 
prepare  and  make  ready  thy  way,  by  turning 
the  hearts  of  the  disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of 
the  just,  that  at  thy  second  coming  to  judge  the 
world  we  may  be  found  an  acceptable  people  in 
thy  sight,  who  livest  and  reignest  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Spirit  ever,  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Am.en. 


6o  THE   COLLECTS    FOR 


The  Fourth  Sunday  in  Advent. 

LORD,  raise  up,  we  pray  thee,  thy  power, 
and  come  among  us,  and  with  great  might 
succour  us ;  that  whereas,  through  our  sins  and 
wickedness,  we  are  sore  let  and  hindered  in 
running  the  race  that  is  set  before  us,  thy  bounti- 
ful grace  and  mercy  may  speedily  help  and 
deliver  us ;  through  the  satisfaction  of  thy  Son 
our  Lord,  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  honour  and  glory,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 


The  Nativity  of  our  Lord,  or  the  Birthday  of  Christ,  commonly 
called 

Christmas-day. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  given  us  thy  only- 
begotten  Son  to  take  our  nature  upon  him, 
and  as  at  this  time  to  be  born  of  a  pure  virgin; 
Grant  that  we  being  regenerate,  and  made  thy 
children  by  adoption  and  grace,  may  daily  be 
renewed  by  thy  Holy  Spirit  ;  through  the  same 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  liveth  and  reigneth 
with  thee  and  the  same  Spirit  ever,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 

Or, 

GOD,  who  makest  us  glad  with  the  yearly 
remembrance  of  the  birth  of  thine  only 
Son  Jesus  Christ ;  Grant  that  as  we  joyfully  re- 
ceive him  for  our  Redeemer,  so  we  may  with 
sure  confidence  behold  him  when  he  shall  come 
to  be  our  Judge,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with 
thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  with- 
out   end.     Amen. 

Saint  Stephen^ s  Day. 

GRANT,   O  Lord,  that,    in    all    our   sufferings 
here    upon    earth    for   the    testimony   of  thy 
truth,  we  may  stedfastly  look  up  to  heaven,  and 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  6l 


by  faith  behold  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed ; 
and,  being  filled  v/ith  the  Holy  Ghost,  may  learn 
to  love  and  bless  our  persecutors  by  the  example 
of  thy  first  Martyr  Saint  Stephen,  who  prayed 
for  his  murderers  to  thee,  O  blessed  Jesus,  who 
standest  at  the  right  hand  of  God  to  succour  all 
those  who  suffer  for  thee,  our  only  Mediator 
and  Advocate.     Amen. 


Saint  John  the  Evangelisfs  Day, 

'ERCIFUL  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  to  cast 
thy  bright  beams  of  light  upon  thy  Church, 
that  it,  being  instructed  by  the  doctrine  of  thy 
blessed  Apostle  and  Evangelist  Saint  John,  may 
so  walk  in  the  light  of  thy  truth,  that  it  may 
at  length  attain  to  everlasting  life  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Innocents^  Day. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  out  of  the  mouths 
of  babes  and  sucklings  hast  ordained  strength, 
and  madest  infants  to  glorify  thee  by  their 
deaths  ;  Mortify  and  kill  all  vices  in  us,  and  so 
strengthen  us  by  thy  grace,  that  by  the  innocency 
of  our  lives,  and  constancy  of  our  faith  even 
unto  death,  we  may  glorify  thy  holy  Name; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 

The  Sunday  after  Christmas-day. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  given  us  thy  only- 
begotten  Son  to  take  our  nature  upon  him, 
and  as  at  this  time  to  be  born  of  a  pure  virgin; 
Grant  that  we  being  regenerate,  and  made  thy 
children  by  adoption  and  grace,  may  daily  be 
renewed  by  thy  Holy  Spirit;  through  the  same 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  liveth  and  reigneth 
with  thee  and  the  same  Spirit  ever,  one  God, 
world  v/ithout  end.     Amen. 


62  THE   COLLECTS    FOR 


The  Circumcision  of  Christ. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  madest  thy  blessed 
Son  to  be  circumcised,  and  obedient  to  the 
law  for  man ;  Grant  us  the  true  circumcision  of 
the  Spirit ;  that,  our  hearts,  and  all  our  members, 
being  mortified  from  all  worldly  and  carnal 
lusts,  we  may  in  all  things  obey  thy  blessed 
will;  through  the  same  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

IT  T/ie  same  Collect  shall  serve  for  every  day  after,  unto  the 
Epiphany. 

The  Epiphany, 

Or  the  Manifestatio7i  of  Christ  to  the  Ge7itiles. 

OGOD,  who  by  the  leading  of  a  star  didst 
manifest  thy  only-begotten  Son  to  the  Gen- 
tiles ;  mercifully  grant  that  we,  who  know  thee 
now  by  faith,  may  after  this  life  have  the  fruition 
of  thy  glorious  Godhead ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  First  Sunday  after  the  Epiphafiy. 

OLORD,  we  beseech  thee  mercifully  to  re- 
ceive the  prayers  of  thy  people  who  call 
upon  thee ;  and  grant  that  they  may  both  per- 
ceive and  know  what  things  they  ought  to  do, 
and  also  may  have  grace  and  power  faithfully 
to  fulfil  the  same ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Am.en. 

The  Second  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  dost 
govern  all  things  in  heaven  and  earth  ; 
Mercifully  hear  the  supplications  of  thy  people, 
and  grant  us  thy  peace  all  the  days  of  our  life ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  63 


The  Third  Sunday  afier  the  Epiphany. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  mercifully 
look  upon  our  infirmities,  and  in  all  our 
dangers  and  necessities  stretch  forth  thy  right 
hand  to  help  and  defend  us  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Fourth  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany. 

OGOD,  who  knowest  us  to  be  set  in  the  midst 
of  so  many  and  great  dangers,  that  by  rea- 
son of  the  frailty  of  our  nature  we  cannot  al- 
ways stand  upright ;  Grant  to  us  such  strength 
and  protection,  as  may  support  us  in  all  dangers, 
and  carry  us  through  all  temptations  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 

The  Fifth  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany. 

OLORD,  we  beseech  thee  to  keep  thy  Church 
and  household  continually  in  thy  true  relig- 
ion ;  that  they  who  do  lean  only  upon  the  ope 
of  thy  heavenly  grace  may  evermore  be  defended 
by  thy  mighty  power;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


The  Sixth  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany. 

OGOD,  whose  blessed  Son  was  manifested 
that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil, 
and  make  us  the  sons  of  God,  and  heirs  of  eter- 
nal life  ;  Grant  us,  we  beseech  thee,  that,  having 
this  hope,  we  may  purify  ourselves,  even  as  he 
is  pure  ;  that,  when  he  shall  appear  again  with 
power  and  great  glory,  we  may  be  made  like  unto 
him  in  his  eternal  and  glorious  kingdom  ;  where 
with  thee,  O  Father,  and  thee,  O  Holy  Ghost, 
he  liveth  and  reigneth  ever,  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Am.en. 


64  THE   COLLECTS    FOR 

The  Sunday  called  Septuagesima, 

Or  the   Third  Sunday  before  Leiit. 

OLORD,  we  beseech  thee  favourably  to  hear 
the  prayers  of  thy  people ;  that  we,  who  are 
justly  punished  for  our  offences,  may  be  merci- 
fully delivered  by  thy  goodness,  for  the  glory  of 
thy  Name ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour, 
who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  ever,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

The  Sufiday  called  Sexagesimay 

Or  the  Second  Sufiday  before  Lent. 

LORD  God,  who  seest  that  we  put  not  our 
trust  in  any  thing  that  we  do ;  Mercifully 
grant  that  by  thy  power  we  may  be  defended 
against  all  adversity;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

The  Sunday  called  Quinquagesima, 

Or  the  next  Sunday  before  Lent. 

OLORD,  who  hast  taught  us  that  all  our  do- 
ings without  charity  are  nothing  worth ; 
Send  thy  Holy  Ghost,  and  pour  into  our  hearts 
that  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  the  very  bond 
of  peace  and  of  all  virtues,  without  which  who- 
soever liveth  is  counted  dead  before  thee.  Grant 
this  for  thine  only  Son  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

J  The  First  day  of  Lent,  commonly  called 

Ash-  Wednesday, 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  hatest 
nothing  that  thou  hast  made,  and  dost  for- 
give the  sins  of  all  those  who  are  penitent ; 
Create  and  make  in  us  new  and  contrite  hearts. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  65 


that  we,  worthily  lamenting  our  sins  and  ac- 
knowledging our  wretchedness,  may  obtain  of 
thee,  the  God  of  all  mercy,  perfect  remission  and 
forgiveness;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


H   T/its  Collect  is  to  be  read  every  day  hi  Lent,  after  tJie  Collect 
appointed  for  the  day. 


The  First  Sunday  in  Lent. 

OLORD,  who  for  our  sake  didst  fast  forty 
days  and  forty  nights ;  Give  us  grace  to  use 
such  abstinence,  that,  our  flesh  being  subdued  to 
the  Spirit,  we  may  ever  obey  thy  godly  motions 
in  righteousness,  and  true  holiness,  to  thy  honour 
and  glory,  who  livest  and  reignest  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Amen. 


The  Second  Sunday  in  Lent. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  seest  that  we  have  no 
power  of  ourselves  to  help  ourselves  ;  Keep 
us  both  outwardly  in  our  bodies,  and  inwardly  in 
our  souls;  that  we  may  be  defended  from  all  ad- 
versities which  may  happen  to  the  body,  and 
from  all  evil  thoughts  which  may  assault  and 
hurt  the  soul ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


The  Third  Sunday  in  Lent. 

WE  beseech  thee.  Almighty  God,  look  upon 
the  hearty  desires  of  thy  humble  servants, 
and  stretch  forth  the  right  hand  of  thy  Majesty, 
to  be  our  defence  against  all  our  enemies; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


66  THE   COLLECTS    FOR 


The  Fourth  Sunday  in  Lent. 

RANT,  we  beseech  thee,  Almighty  God,  that 
we,  who  for  our  evil  deeds  do  worthily  de- 
serve to  be  punished,  by  the  comfort  of  thy  grace 
may  mercifully  be  relieved ;  through  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


G 


The  Fifth  Sunday  in  Lent, 

WE  beseech  thee.  Almighty  God,  mercifully 
to  look  upon  thy  people ;  that  by  thy  great 
goodness  they  may  be  governed  and  preserved 
evermore,  both  in  body  and  soul;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Sunday  next  before  Easter. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who,  of  thy 
tender  love  towards  mankind,  hast  sent  thy 
Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  to  take  upon  him 
our  flesh,  and  to  suffer  death  upon  the  cross,  that 
all  mankind  should  follow  the  example  of  his 
great  humility ;  Mercifully  grant,  that  we  may 
both  follow  the  example  of  his  patience,  and  also 
be  made  partakers  of  his  resurrection ;  through 
the  same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


Good  Friday. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  we  beseech  thee  graciously 
to  behold  this  thy  family,  for  which  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  was  contented  to  be  betrayed,  and 
given  up  into  the  hands  of  wicked  men,  and  to 
suffer  death  upon  the  cross;  who  now  liveth  and 
reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  ever,  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  67 


ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  by  whose 
Spirit  the  whole  body  of  the  Church  is  gov- 
erned and  sanctified  ;  Receive  our  supplications 
and  prayers,  which  we  offer  before  thee  for  all 
estates  of  men  in  thy  holy  Church,  that  every 
member  of  the  same,  in  his  vocation  and  minis- 
try, may  truly  and  godly  serve  thee  ;  through  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

O  MERCIFUL  God,  v/ho  hast  made  all  men, 
and  hatest  nothing  that  thou  hast  made,  nor 
desirest  the  death  of  a  sinner,  but  rather  that  he 
should  be  converted  and  live  ;  Have  mercy  upon 
all  Jews,  Turks,  infidels,  and  heretics  ;  and  take 
from  them  all  ignorance,  hardness  of  heart,  and 
contempt  of  thy  Word ;  and  so  fetch  them  home, 
blessed  Lord,  to  thy  flock,  that  they  may  be 
saved  among  the  rem.nant  of  the  true  Israelites, 
and  be  made  one  fold  under  one  shepherd,  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with 
thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 


Easter-Even.  ^ 


GRANT,  O  Lord,  that  as  we  are  baptized  into 
the  death  of  thy  blessed  Son,  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  so  by  continual  mortifying  our  cor- 
rupt affections  we  may  be  buried  with  him  ;  and 
that  through  the  grave,  and  gate  of  death,  we 
may  pass  to  our  joyful  resurrection;  for  his  mer- 
its, who  died,  and  was  buried,  and  rose  again  for 
us,  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Easter-day. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  through  thine  only-be- 
gotten Son  Jesus  Christ  hast  overcome 
death,  and  opened  unto  us  the  gate  of  everlasting 
life  ;  "We  humbly  beseech  thee  that,  as  by  thy 
special  grace  preventing  us    thou  dost  put   into 


68  THE    COLLECTS    FOR 


our  minds  good  desires,  so  by  thy  continual  help 
we  may  bring  the  same  to  good  effect ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  who  liveth  and  reigneth 
with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  ever,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 

Or, 

GOD,  who  for  our  redemption  didst  give  thine 
only-begotten  Son  to  the  death  of  the  Cross, 
and  by  his  glorious  resurrection  hast  delivered 
us  from  the  power  of  our  enemy ;  Grant  us  so  to 
die  daily  from  sin,  that  we  may  evermore  live 
with  him  in  the  joy  of  his  resurrection  ;  through 
the  same  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  First  Sunday  after  Easter. 

ALMIGHTY  Father,  who  hast  given  thine 
only  Son  to  die  for  our  sins,  and  to  rise  again 
for  our  justification ;  Grant  us  so  to  put  away  the 
leaven  of  malice  and  wickedness,  that  we  may 
always  serve  thee  in  pureness  of  living  and 
truth ;  through  the  merits  of  the  same  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Second  Sunday  after  Easter. 

r  A  LMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  given  thine  only 
"H  -^^  Son  to  be  unto  us  both  a  sacrifice  for  sin, 
and  also  an  ensample  of  godly  life ;  Give  us  grace 
that  we  may  always  most  thankfully  receive  that 
his  inestimable  benefit,  and  also  daily  endeavour 
ourselves  to  follow  the  blessed  steps  of  his  most 
holy  life  ;  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  69 


The  Third  Sunday  after  Easter. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  showest  to  them  that 
are  in  error  the  light  of  thy  truth,  to  the 
intent  that  they  may  return  into  the  way  of  right- 
eousness ;  Grant  unto  all  those  who  are  admitted 
into  the  fellowship  of  Christ's  Religion,  that  they 
may  avoid  those  things  that  are  contrary  to  their 
profession,  and  follow  all  such  things  as  are 
agreeable  to  the  same;  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 

The  Fourth  Sunday  after  Easter. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  alone  canst  order 
the  unruly  wills  and  affections  of  sinful  men; 
Grant  unto  thy  people,  that  they  may  love  the 
thing  which  thou  commandest,  and  desire  that 
which  thou  dost  promise  ;  that  so,  among  the 
sundry  and  manifold  changes  of  the  world,  our 
hearts  may  surely  there  be  fixed,  where  true  joys 
are  to  be  found  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

The  Fifth  Sunday  after  Easter. 

LORD,  from  whom  all  good  things  do  come ; 

Grant  to  us  thy  humble  servants,  that  by  thy 
holy  inspiration  we  may  think  those  things  that 
are  good,  and  by  thy  merciful  guiding  may  per- 
form the  same  ;  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Am.en. 

The  Ascension-day. 

GRANT,  we  beseech  thee.  Almighty  God,  that 
like  as  we  do  believe  thy  only-begotten  Son 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  have  ascended  into  the 
heavens ;  so  we  may  also  in  heart  and  mind 
thither  ascend,  and  with  him  continually  dwell, 
who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Am.en. 


70  THE    COLLECTS    FOR 


Sunday  after  Ascension-day. 

OGOD,  the  King  of  glory,  who  hast  exalted 
thine  only  Son  Jesus  Christ  with  great  tri- 
umph unto  thy  kingdom  in  heaven;  We  beseech 
thee,  leave  us  not  comfortless;  but  send  to  us 
thine  Holy  Ghost  to  comfort  us,  and  exalt  us 
unto  the  same  place  whither  our  Saviour  Christ 
is  gone  before,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 


Whitsunday. 

OGOD,  who  as  at  this  time  didst  teach  the 
hearts  of  thy  faithful  people,  by  sending  to 
them  the  light  of  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  Grant  us  by 
the  same  Spirit  to  have  a  right  judgment  in  all 
things,  and  evermore  to  rejoice  in  his  holy  com- 
fort;  through  the  merits  of  Christ  Jesus  our 
Saviour,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee,  in  the 
unity  of  the  same  Spirit,  one  God,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 


Trinity-Sunday. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  hast 
given  unto  us  thy  servants  grace,  by  the  con- 
fession of  a  true  faith,  to  acknowledge  the  glory 
of  the  eternal  Trinity,  and  in  the  power  of  the 
Divine  Majesty  to  worship  the  Unity;  We  be- 
seech thee  that  thou  wouldest  keep  us  stedfast  in 
this  faith,  and  evermore  defend  us  from  all  ad- 
versities, who  livest  and  reignest,  one  God,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  71 


The  First  Smiday  after  Trinity. 

OGOD,  the  strength  of  all  those  who  put  their 
trust  in  thee  ;  Mercifully  accept  our  prayers  ; 
and  because,  through  the  weakness  of  our  mortal 
nature,  we  can  do  no  good  thing  without  thee, 
grant  us  the  help  of  thy  grace,  that  in  keeping 
thy  commandments  we  may  please  thee,  both  in 
will  and  deed  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


The  Second  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OLORD,  who  never  failest  to  help  and  govern 
those  whom  thou  dost  bring  up  in  thy  sted- 
fast  fear  and  love;  Keep  us,  we  beseech  thee, 
under  the  protection  of  thy  good  providence,  and 
make  us  to  have  a  perpetual  fear  and  love  of  thy 
holy  Name;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


The  Third  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OLORD,  we  beseech  thee  mercifully  to  hear 
us  ;  and  grant  that  we,  to  whom  thou  hast 
given  an  hearty  desire  to  pray,  may,  by  thy 
mighty  aid,  be  defended  and  comforted  in  all 
dangers  and  adversities;  through  Jesus  Christ 
bur  Lord.     Am.en. 


The  Fourth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OGOD,  the  protector  of  all  that  trust  in  thee, 
without  whom  nothing  is  strong,  nothing  is 
holy;  Increase  and  multiply  upon  us  thy  mercy  ; 
that,  thou  being  our  ruler  and  guide,  we  may  so 
pass  through  things  temporal,  that  we  finally  lose 
not  the  things  eternal.  Grant  this,  O  heavenly 
Father,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake  our  Lord.     Am.en. 


72  THE    COLLECTS    FOR 


The  Fifth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

GRANT,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee,  that  the 
course  of  this  world  may  be  so  peaceably 
ordered  by  thy  governance,  that  thy  Church  may 
joyfully  serve  thee  in  all  godly  quietness  ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Sixth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

\  /^  GOD,  who  hast  prepared  for  those  who  love 
■>i  ^<J  thee  such  good  things  as  pass  man's  under- 
standing; Pour  into  our  hearts  such  love  toward 
thee,  that  we,  loving  thee  above  all  things,  may 
obtain  thy  promises,  which  exceed  all  that  we  can 
desire;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


J 


The  Seventh  Sunday  after  Trinity, 

LORD  of  all  power  and  might,  who  art  the 
author  and  giver  of  all  good  things ;  Graft  in 
our  hearts  the  love  of  thy  Name,  increase  in  us 
true  religion,  nourish  us  with  all  goodness,  and 
of  thy  great  mercy  keep  us  in  the  same ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Eighth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OGOD,  whose  never-failing  providence  order- 
eth  all  things  both  in  heaven  and  earth  ;  ^A^e 
humbly  beseech  thee  to  put  away  from  us  all 
hurtful  things,  and  to  give  us  those  things  which 
are  profitable  for  us ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.         "  73 


The  Ninth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

GRANT  to  us,  Lord,  we  beseech  thee,  the 
spirit  to  think  and  do  always  such  things  as 
are  right ;  that  we,  who  cannot  do  any  thing  that 
is  good  without  thee,  may  by  thee  be  enabled  to 
live  according  to  thy  will ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Tenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

LET  thy  merciful  ears,  O  Lord,  be  open  to  the 
prayers  of  thy  humble  servants  ;  and,  that 
they  may  obtain  their  petitions,  make  them  to 
ask  such  things  as  shall  please  thee  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Eleventh  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OGOD,  who  declarest  thy  almighty  power 
chiefly  in  showing  mercy  and  pity;  Merci- 
fully grant  unto  us  such  a  measure  of  thy  grace, 
that  we,  running  the  way  of  thy  commandments, 
may  obtain  thy  gracious  promises,  and  be  made 
partakers  of  thy  heavenly  treasure ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Twelfth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  art  al- 
ways more  ready  to  hear  than  we  to  pray, 
and  art  wont  to  give  more  than  either  we  desire 
or  deserve ;  Pour  down  upon  us  the  abundance 
of  thy  mercy;  forgiving  us  those  things  whereof 
our  conscience  is  afraid,  and  giving  us  those  good 
things  which  we  are  not  worthy  to  ask,  but 
through  the  merits  and  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ, 
thy  Son,  our  Lord.     Am.en. 


74  '  THE    COLLECTS    FOR 


The  Thirteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

ALMIGHTY  and  merciful  God,  of  whose  only 
gift  it  Cometh  that  thy  faithful  people  do 
unto  thee  true  and  laudable  service  ;  Grant,  we 
beseech  thee,  that  we  may  so  faithfully  serve  thee 
in  this  life,  that  we  fail  not  finally  to  attain  thy 
heavenly  promises;  through  the  merits  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Fourteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  give  unto 
us  the  increase  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity ; 
and,  that  we  may  obtain  that  which  thou  dost 
promise,  make  us  to  love  that  which  thou  dost 
command ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


The  Fifteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

KEEP,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  thy  Church 
with  thy  perpetual  mercy  ;  and,  because  the 
frailty  of  man  without  thee  cannot  but  fall,  keep 
us  ever  by  thy  help  from  all  things  hurtful,  and 
lead  us  to  all  things  profitable  to  our  salvation; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Sixteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

LORD,  we  beseech  thee,  let  thy  continual 
pity  cleanse  and  defend  thy  Church ;  and, 
because  it  cannot  continue  in  safety  without  thy 
succour,  preserve  it  evermore  by  thy  help  and 
goodness ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Am.en. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  75 


The  Seventeenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

LORD,  we  pray  thee  that  thy  grace  may  al- 
ways prevent  and  follow  us,  and  make  us 
continually  to  be  given  to  all  good  works ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Aiaen.. 

The  Eightee7ith  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

LORD,  we  beseech  thee,  grant  thy  people 
grace  to  withstand  the  temptations  of  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil ;  and  with  pure 
hearts  and  minds  to  follow  thee,  the  only  God  ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.eii. 

The  Nineteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OGOD,  forasmuch  as  without  thee  we  are  not 
able  to  please  thee  ;  Mercifully  grant  that 
thy  Holy  Spirit  may  in  all  things  direct  and  rule 
our  hearts;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


The  Ttventieth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

O  ALMIGHTY  and  most  merciful  God,  of 
thy  bountiful  goodness  keep  us,  we  beseech 
thee,  from  all  things  that  may  hurt  us  ;  that  we, 
being  ready  both  in  body  and  soul,  may  cheer- 
fully accomplish  those  things  which  thou  com- 
mandest ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Twenty-first  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

GRANT,  we  beseech   thee,   merciful   Lord,   to        , 
thy   faithful    people   pardon   and  peace,  that 
they  may   be    cleansed    from    all   their  sins,   and 
serve    thee    with    a    quiet    mind ;    through   Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


76  THE     COLLECTS    FOR 


The  Twenty -second  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

LORD,  we  beseech  thee  to  keep  thy  household 
the  Church  in  continual  godliness ;  that 
through  thy  protection  it  may  be  free  from  all 
adversities,  and  devoutly  given  to  serve  thee  in 
good  works,  to  the  glory  of  thy  Name  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Twenty-third  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

OGOD,  our  refuge  and  strength,  who  art  the 
author  of  all  godliness ;  Be  ready,  we  be- 
seech thee,  to  hear  the  devout  prayers  of  thy 
Church ;  and  grant  that  those  things  which  we 
ask  faithfully  we  may  obtain  effectually  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Twenty  fourth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

LORD,  we  beseech  thee,  absolve  thy  people 
from  their  offences  ;  that  through  thy  boun- 
tiful goodness  we  may  all  be  delivered  from  the 
bands  of  those  sins,  which  by  our  frailty  we  have 
committed.  Grant  this,  O  heavenly  Father,  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake,  our  blessed  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour.    Am.en. 


The  Sunday  next  before  Advent. 

STIR  up,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  the  wills 
of  thy  faithful  people  ;  that  they,  plenteously 
bringing  forth  the  fruit  of  good  works,  may  by 
thee  be  plenteously  rewarded;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  77 


S/.  Andrew^ s  Day. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  didst  give  such  grace 
unto  thy  holy  Apostle  Saint  Andrew,  that 
he  readily  obeyed  the  calling  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  and  followed  him  without  delay  ;  Grant 
unto  us  all,  that  we,  being  called  by  thy  holy 
W^ord,  may  forthwith  give  up  ourselves  obedi- 
ently to  fulfil  thy  holy  commandments;  through 
the  same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


Saint  Thomas  the  Apostle. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everliving  God,  who,  for 
the  greater  confirmation  of  the  faith,  didst 
suffer  thy  holy  Apostle  Thomas  to  be  doubtful 
in  thy  Son's  resurrection  ;  Grant  us  so  perfectly, 
and  without  all  doubt,  to  believe  in  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  that  our  faith  in  thy  sight  may  never  be 
reproved.  Hear  us,  O  Lord,  through  the  same 
Jesus  Christ,  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  now  and  for  ever- 
more.    Amen. 


The  Conversion  of  St.  Paul. 

OGOD,  who,  through  the  preaching  of  the 
blessed  Apostle  Saint  Paul,  hast  caused  the 
light  of  the  Gospel  to  shine  throughout  the 
world;  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we,  having 
his  wonderful  conversion  in  remembrance,  may 
show  forth  our  thankfulness  unto  thee  for  the 
same,  by  following  the  holy  doctrine  which  he 
taught;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


78  THE  COLLECTS    FOR 

The  Presentation  of  Christ  in  the  Temple,  comjtionly  called 

The  Purification  of  Saint  Mary  the  Virgin. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everliving  God,  we  humbly 
beseech  thy  Majesty,  that,  as  thy  only-be- 
gotten Son  was  this  day  presented  in  the  temple 
in  substance  of  our  flesh,  so  we  may  be  pre- 
sented unto  thee  with  pure  and  clean  hearts,  by 
the  same  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

St.  Matthias's  Day. 

O  ALMIGHTY    God,   who   into   the   place   of 
^  the  traitor  Judas  didst   choose   thy   faithful 

servant  Matthias  to  be  of  the  number  of  the 
twelve  Apostles ;  Grant  that  thy  Church,  being 
alway  preserved  from  false  Apostles,  may  be 
ordered  and  guided  by  faithful  and  true  pastors ; 
through  Jesus   Christ  our  Lord.     Aiaen. 

The  Annunciation  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary, 

°E  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  pour  thy  grace 
into  our  hearts  ;  that,  as  we  have  known 
the  incarnation  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  by  the 
message  of  an  Angel,  so  by  his  cross  and  passion 
we  may  be  brought  unto  the  glory  of  his  resur- 
rection; through  the  same  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

St.  Mark's  Day. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  instructed  thy 
holy  Church  with  the  heavenly  doctrine  of 
thy  Evangelist  Saint  Mark ;  Give  us  grace  that, 
being  not  like  children  carried  away  with  every 
blast  of  vain  doctrine,  we  may  be  established  in 
the  truth  of  thy  holy  Gospel ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  79 


Saint  Philip  and  Saint  James' s  Day. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  whom  truly  to  know  is 
everlasting  life  ;  Grant  us  perfectly  to  know 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life  ;  that,  following  the  steps  of  thy 
holy  Apostles,  Saint  Philip  and  Saint  James,  we 
may  stedfastly  walk  in  the  way  that  leadeth  to 
eternal  life  ;  through  the  same  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Saint  Barnabas  the  Apostle. 

OLORD  God  Almighty,  who  didst  endue  thy 
holy  Apostle  Barnabas  with  singular  gifts 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  Leave  us  not,  we  beseech 
thee,  destitute  of  thy  manifold  gifts,  nor  yet  of 
grace  to  use  them  alway  to  thy  honour  and  glory  ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Saint  John  Baptist's  Day. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  by  whose  providence  thy 
servant  John  Baptist  was  wonderfully  born, 
and  sent  to  prepare  the  way  of  thy  Son  our  Sav- 
iour by  preaching  repentance  ;  Make  us  so  to  fol- 
low his  doctrine  and  holy  life,  that  we  may  truly 
repent  according  to  his  preaching ;  and  after  his 
example  constantly  speak  the  truth,  boldly  re- 
buke vice,  and  patiently  suffer  for  the  truth's 
sake;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen.. 

Saint  Peter's  Day. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  by  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  didst  give  to  thy  Apostle  Saint  Peter 
many  excellent  gifts,  and  commandedst  him  earn- 
estly to  feed  thy  flock  ;  Make,  we  beseech  thee, 
all  Bishops  and  Pastors  diligently  to  preach  thy 
holy  Word,  and  the  people  obediently  to  follow 
the  same,  that  they  may  receive  the  crown  of 
everlasting  glory ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Am.en. 


8o  THE   COLLECTS    FOR 


Saint  James  the  Apostle. 

GRANT,  O  merciful  God,  that,  as  thine  holy 
Apostle  Saint  James,  leaving  his  father  and 
all  that  he  had,  without  delay  was  obedient  unto 
the  calling  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  followed 
him ;  so  we,  forsaking  all  worldly  and  carnal 
affections,  may  be  evermore  ready  to  follow  thy 
holy  commandments  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

The  Transfiguration  of  Chi-ist. 

OGOD,  who  on  the  mount  didst  reveal  to 
chosen  witnesses  thine  only-begotten  Son 
wonderfully  transfigured,  in  raiment  white  and 
glistering;  Mercifully  grant  that  we,  being  de- 
livered from  the  disquietude  of  this  world,  may 
be  permitted  to  behold  the  King  in  his  beauty, 
who  with  thee,  O  Father,  and  thee,  O  Holy 
Ghost,  liveth  and  reigneth,  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Amen. 

Saint  Bartholomew  the  Apostle. 

O  ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who 
didst  give  to  thine  Apostle  Bartholomew 
grace  truly  to  believe  and  to  preach  thy  Word ; 
Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  unto  thy  Church,  to  love 
that  "Word  which  he  believed,  and  both  to  preach 
and  receive  the  same;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

Saint  Matthew  the  Apostle. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  by  thy  blessed  Son 
didst  call  Matthew  from  the  receipt  of  cus- 
tom to  be  an  Apostle  and  Evangelist ;  Grant  us 
grace  to  forsake  all  covetous  desires,  and  inordi- 
nate love  of  riches,  and  to  follow  the  same  thy 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with 
thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Amen. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  8z 


Saint  Michael  and  all  Angels. 

O  EVERLASTING  God,  who  hast  ordained 
and  constituted  the  services  of  Angels  and 
men  in  a  wonderful  order  ;  Mercifully  grant  that, 
as  thy  holy  Angels  always  do  thee  service  in 
heaven,  so,  by  thy  appointment,  they  may  suc- 
cour and  defend  us  on  earth;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Am.eii. 


Saint  Luke  the  Evangelist. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  calledst  Luke  the  Phy- 
sician, whose  praise  is  in  the  Gospel,  to  be 
an  Evangelist,  and  Physician  of  the  soul ;  May 
it  please  thee  that,  by  the  wholesome  medicines 
of  the  doctrine  delivered  by  him,  all  the  diseases 
of  our  souls  may  be  healed  ;  through  the  merits 
of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


Saint  Sitnon  and  Saint  Jude,  Apostles. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  built  thy  ^ 
Church  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles 
and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  head 
corner-stone  ;  Grant  us  so  to  be  joined  together 
in  unity  of  spirit  by  their  doctrine,  that  we  may 
be  made  an  holy  temple  acceptable  unto  thee  ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

All  Saints^  Day. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  knit  together  y/^ 
thine  elect  in  one  communion  and  fellow- 
ship, in  the  mystical  body  of  thy  Son  Christ  our 
Lord  ;  Grant  us  grace  so  to  follow  thy  blessed 
Saints  in  all  virtuous  and  godly  living,  that  we 
may  come  to  those  unspeakable  joys  which  thou 
hast  prepared  for  those  who  unfeignedly  love 
thee  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 


82  THE  COLLECTS  FOR 


OTHER  COLLECTS  FROM  THE  BOOK 
OF  COMMON  PRAYER. 

GOD,  merciful  Father,  who  despisest  not 
the  sighing  of  a  contrite  heart,  nor  the  desire 
of  such  as  are  sorrowful;  Mercifully  assist  our 
prayers  which  we  make  before  thee  in  all  our 
troubles  and  adversities,  whensoever  they  op- 
press us  ;  and  graciously  hear  us,  that  those  evils 
which  the  craft  and  subtilty  of  the  devil  or  man 
worketh  against  us,  may,  by  thy  good  providence, 
be  brought  to  nought ;  that  v/e  thy  servants,  be- 
ing hurt  by  no  persecutions,  may  evermore  give 
thanks  unto  thee  in  thy  holy  Church ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

WE  humbly  beseech  thee,  O  Father,  merci- 
fully to  look  upon  our  infirmities  ;  and,  for 
the  glory  of  thy  Name,  turn  from  us  all  those 
evils  that  we  most  justly  have  deserved;  and 
grant,  that  in  all  our  troubles  we  may  put  our 
whole  trust  and  confidence  in  thy  mercy,  and 
evermore  serve  thee  in  holiness  and  pureness  of 
living,  to  thy  honour  and  glory ;  through  our  only 
Mediator  and  Advocate,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

GOD,  whose  nature  and  property  is  ever  to 
have  mercy  and  to  forgive ;  Receive  our 
humble  petitions ;  and  though  we  be  tied  and 
bound  with  the  chain  of  our  sins,  yet  let  the  piti- 
fulness  of  thy  great  mercy  loose  us ;  for  the 
honour  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Mediator  and  Advo- 
cate.    Amen. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  unto  whom  all  hearts  are 
open,  all  desires  known,  and  from  whom 
no  secrets  are  hid  ;  Cleanse  the  thoughts  of  cur 
hearts  by  the  inspiration  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that 
we  may  perfectly  love  thee,  and  worthily  magnify 
thy  holy  Name  ;  through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    YEAR.  83 


O  ALMIGHTY  Lord,  and  everlasting  God, 
vouchsafe,  we  beseech  thee,  to  direct,  sanc- 
tify, and  govern,  both  our  hearts  and  bodies,  in 
the  ways  of  thy  laws,  and  in  the  works  of  thy 
commandments  ;  that,  through  thy  most  mighty 
protection,  both  here  and  ever,  we  may  be  pre- 
served in  body  and  soul  ;  through  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

ASSIST  us  mercifully,  O  Lord,  in  these  our 
supplications  and  prayers,  and  dispose  the 
way  of  thy  servants  towards  the  attainment 
of  everlasting  sal-cation ;  that,  among  all  the 
changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal  life,  they 
may  ever  be  defended  by  thy  most  gracious  and 
ready  help;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

GRANT,  we  beseech  thee.  Almighty  God,  that 
the  words  which  we  have  heard  this  day 
with  our  outward  ears,  may,  through  thy  grace, 
be  so  grafted  inwardly  in  our  hearts,  that  they 
may  bring  forth  in  us  the  fruit  of  good  living,  to 
the  honour  and  praise  of  thy  Name ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

DIRECT  us,  O  Lord,  in  all  our  doings,  with 
thy  most  gracious  favour,  and  further  us 
with  thy  continual  help  ;  that  in  all  our  works 
begun,  continued,  and  ended  in  thee,  we  may 
glorify  thy  holy  Name,  and  finally,  by  thy  mercy, 
obtain  everlasting  life  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  the  fountain  of  all  wisdom, 
who  knowest  our  necessities  before  we  ask, 
and  our  ignorance  in  asking;  ^Ve  beseech  thee 
to  have  compassion  upon  our  infirmities ;  and 
those  things  which  for  our  unworthiness  we  dare 
not,  and  for  our  blindness  we  cannot  ask,  vouch- 
safe to  give  us,  for  the  worthiness  of  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


84  THE    COLLECTS. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  promised  to  hear 
the  petitions  of  those  who  ask  in  thy  Son's 
Name ;  "We  beseech  thee  mercifully  to  incline 
thine  ears  to  us  who  have  now  made  our  prayers 
and  supplications  unto  thee ;  and  grant  that 
those  things  which  we  have  faithfully  asked  ac- 
cording to  thy  will,  may  effectually  be  obtained, 
to  the  relief  of  our  necessity,  and  to  the  setting 
forth  of  thy  glory;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  who  ha^t  given  us  grace  at 
this  time  with  one  accord  to  make  our  com- 
mon supplications  unto  thee ;  and  dost  promise 
that  when  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in 
thy  Name  thou  wilt  grant  their  requests;  Fulfil 
now,  O  Lord,  the  desires  and  petitions  of  thy 
servants,  as  may  be  most  expedient  for  them ; 
granting  us  in  this  world  knowledge  of  thy  truth, 
and  in  the  world  to  come  life  everlasting.     Amen. 


BENEDICTIONS. 


THE   grace  of  our    Lord    Jesus     Christ,   and 
the  love  of  God,  and  the  fellowship  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  be  with  us  all  evermore.     Amen. 

THE  Lord  bless  you,  and  keep  you.  The 
Lord  make  his  face  to  shine  upon  you,  and 
be  gracious  unto  you.  The  Lord  lift  up  his 
countenance  upon  you,  and  give  you  peace,  both 
now  and  evermore.     Amen. 


THE  God  of  all  grace,  who  hath  called  us 
unto  his  eternal  glory  by  Christ  Jesus,  after 
that  ye  have  suffered  awhile,  make  you  perfect, 
stablish,  strengthen,  settle  you.  To  him  be  glory 
and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

THE  God  of  peace,  who  brought  again  from 
the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great 
Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the 
everlasting  covenant ;  Make  you  perfect  in  every 
good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight ;  through 
Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 

THE  Peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  un- 
derstanding, keep  your  hearts  and  minds 
in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  of  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ;  And  the  Blessing 
of  God  Almighty,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  be  amongst  you,  and  remain 
with   you   always.     Amen. 


PRAYERS 

FOR    THE    CHILDREN    AND    FOR    SUN- 
DAY   SCHOOLS. 


OGOD,  our  heavenly  Father,  we  are  very 
weak  and  sinful.  Make  us  sorry  for  all  the 
wrong  things  that  we  have  done,  and  help  us  to 
grow  better  every  day.  Keep  us  from  all  mean- 
ness and  selfishness,  and  from  hurting  others  by 
word  or  deed.  Help  us  gladly  to  obey  our  par- 
ents and  teachers,  make  us  ready  to  give  up  our 
own  way,  and  teach  us  to  be  patient  and  kind 
and  loving  to  all  about  us.  Make  us  painstaking 
and  cheerful  in  doing  every  little  duty.  Help  us 
to  be  more  reverent  and  attentive  in  Church  and 
Sunday  School.  May  we  be  always  pure  and 
truthful  in  thought  and  word,  and  learn  day  by 
day  to  know  thee  better  and  to  love  thee  more. 

Bless  our  Church  and  our  Sunday  School,  and 
all  who  belong  to  them,  and  bring  us  all  into  thy 
everlasting  kingdom  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  the  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  whom  the 
whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named ; 
"Who  art  more  willing  to  give  thy  Holy  Spirit  to 
them  that  ask  thee,  than  earthly  parents  are  to 
give  good  gifts  to  their  children ;  Send  down 
upon  us  the  healthful  Spirit  of  thy  grace.  Pros- 
per, we  humbly  beseech  thee,  all  the  means  em- 
ployed to  train  up  these  children  in  thy  fear  and 
service.  Dispose  them  from  the  heart  to  believe 
in  thee,  the  Lord  their  God,  and  to  worship  and 
serve  thee,  their  Creator,  Redeemer,  and  Sancti- 
fier.  Keep  them  from  all  the  dangers  and  temp- 
tations of  this  evil  world,  and  sanctify  them 
wholly  in  their  souls  and  bodies.  May  they 
never  be  ashamed  to  confess  the  faith  of  Christ 


FOR    SUNDAY    SCHOOLS.  87 


crucified,  and  manfully  to  fight  under  his  banner, 
against  sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil,  and  to  con- 
tinue his  faithful  soldiers  and  servants  unto  their 
life's  end  ;  through  the  same,  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

OLORD  Jesus,  Lord  of  love  and  grace,  who 
hast  said  :  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  Embrace,  we  be- 
seech thee,  these  children,  in  thine  arms  of 
mercy,  and  bless  them.  Enable  them  daily  to 
grow  in  stature,  after  the  pattern  which  thou  hast 
shown,  to  grow  also  in  wisdom  and  in  favour 
with  God  and  man.  May  they  learn  to  serve  thee 
of  very  love,  hating  the  sin  which  thou  hatest, 
and  loving  the  things  which  thou  commandest; 
and  so  make  them,  blessed  Lord,  the  members 
of  thy  flock,  that  they  may  ever  know  and  follow 
the  voice  of  the  true  Shepherd  of  their  souls, 
and  remain  in  the  number  of  thy  faithful  child- 
ren, who  art,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

O  GRACIOUS  Saviour,  who  lovedst  little  chil- 
dren, and  didst  take  them  into  thy  holy  arms 
and  bless  them,  bless  now,  we  pray  thee,  the 
children  of  this  school.  May  they  grow  up  in 
thy  fear  and  love.  May  they  live  ever  as  mem- 
bers of  Christ,  children  of  God,  and  heirs  of 
heaven.  May  they  give  their  hearts  to  thee,  and 
remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their 
youth  ;  that  so  they  may  be  thine  forever,  and  at 
length  enter  the  heavenly  inheritance  which  thou 
hast  purchased  for  them  ;  who  livest  and  reignest 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God 
evermore.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  Father,  who  hast  promised  that 
they  who  early  seek  thy  heavenly  wisdom 
shall  early  find  it,  and  find  it  more  precious  than 
all  the  treasures  of  this  world;  Send  down  on 
these  thy  children  the  grace  and  blessing  of  thy 


88  PRAYERS    FOR    THE    CHILDREN    AND 


Holy  Spirit ;  that  they,  being  trained  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  may 
choose  and  love  thy  way,  and  depart  from  it  no 
more  forever;  and  that  when  thou  makest  up  thy 
jewels  in  thy  glorious  kingdom  these  children 
may  be  there  and  may  be  thine ;  all  which  we 
ask  for  the  sak?  of  thy  Holy  Child  Jesus,  our  only 
Saviour  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  be  pleased,  we  humbly  be- 
seech thee,  to  move  the  hearts  of  many  of 
thy  children  to  seek  the  work  of  ministering  to 
thee  in  holy  things.  We  pray  that  some  may  be 
found  among  our  own  number  eager  to  carry  the 
blessed  tidings  of  thy  love  to  those  who  sit  in 
darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  death.  Clothe 
thou  them  now  in  the  days  of  their  youth  with 
thy  whole  armour.  Make  them  children  of  the 
light  and  of  the  day.  And,  when  the  time  shall 
come  for  them  to  go  forth  bearing  the  shield  of 
faith  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  do  thou  go  with 
them.  Heavenly  Father,  that  they  may  fight  the 
good  fight,  and  be  proved  the  faithful  of  thy 
Christ.  We  ask  it  in  his  name  and  for  his  sake. 
Amen. 


CONFIRM,  O  Lord,  we  pray  thee,  the  hearts 
*  of  thy  children,  and  strengthen  them  with 
the  power  of  thy  grace ;  that  they  may  both  be 
devout  in  prayer  to  thee,  and  sincere  in  love  for 
each  other ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  and  most  merciful  Father,  on 
this  thine  own  holy  day  of  rest  we  come  to 
thee  to  seek  a  blessing.  W^e  are  weak  but  thou 
art  almighty;  we  are  ignorant,  but  thou  canst 
teach  us  all  things  ;  we  are  sinful,  but  thou  hast 
promised  to  forgive  us  for  thy  dear  Son's  sake. 
We  come  in  loving  confidence  and  humble  trust, 
knowing  that  thou  art  gentle  and  pitiful,  full 
of    tenderness   and   compassion,  and   ever  ready 


FOR    SUNDAY    SCHOOLS.  8g 


to  do  for  all  thy  children  more  than  they  can  ask 
or  think.  We  pray  for  light  upon  our  daily  path. 
Help  us  to  see  the  way  wherein  we  ought  to 
walk,  and  give  us  strength  to  follow  it.  May  we 
love  thy  Holy  "Word,  and  search  in  it  for  wisdom 
as  for  hid  treasures.  Make  us  obedient  and 
truthful,  reverent  and  pure  in  heart.  Teach  us 
to  shun  all  bad  examples,  and  to  love  every  hon- 
est way.  Wherever  we  are,  whatever  we  do, 
may  we  never  forget  that  thou  art  close  at  hand, 
and  that  thy  judgment  is  true.  Guide  us  this 
day  unto  a  better  knowledge  of  thy  will.  May 
we  all  be  taught  of  thee,  and  gladly  listen  to  thy 
voice,  so  that  when  thou  shalt  call  us  hence,  we 
may  enter  with  joy  and  not  with  fear  into  the 
rest  that  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

O  GREAT  and  gracious  God,  do  Thou  look 
down  with  mercy  and  love  on  this  school ; 
if  thou  be  with  us,  none  can  be  against  us.  Bless 
us  each  and  all  in  our  several  stations,  and  en- 
able us  humbly  and  conscientiously  to  fulfil  those 
duties  v/hich  thou  hast  entrusted  to  us,  not  with 
eye-service  as  men-pleasers,  but  in  singleness 
of  heart,  serving  thee.  Do  thou  make  us  to  live 
in  unity  one  with  another,  and  in  peace  with  all 
men.  May  we  seek  the  good  of  one  another 
rather  than  of  ourselves,  remembering  that  we 
are  not  our  own,  but  bought  with  a  price.  O 
God,  may  thy  name  be  hallowed,  not  only  with 
our  lips,  but  in  our  lives,  and  thy  will  be  done 
with  all  our  heart  and  with  all  our  strength.  So 
shall  thy  blessing  be  with  us  for  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

OLORD  most  High,  who  art  our  life,  our 
strength  and  joy,  our  ever  present  helper 
and  defender,  we  come  to  confess  our  sins  before 
thee,  and  to  pray  for  what  we  need.  Give  us  the 
mind  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  Make 
us  gentle  and  obedient,  loving,  brave,  and  true. 
Keep  our  childhood  holy,  and  our  youth  pure  and 


go  PRAYERS   FOR   THE    CHILDREN   AND 


good,  so  that  the  longer  we  live  we  may  grow 
more  and  more  into  the  likeness  of  the  perfect 
man.  Thou  knowest  our  temptations,  heavenly 
Father:  help  us  to  watch  against  them,  and  to 
win  the  victory  over  them,  remembering  that 
thou  hast  promised  to  those  who  are  faithful  unto 
death  a  crown  of  life.  Pity  our  weakness,  O 
Lord,  for  we  are  thy  children  and  the  work  of  thy 
hands ;  thou  hast  called  us  by  our  names  ;  we 
are  thine.  Send  down  upon  us,  for  our  present 
need,  the  dew  of  thy  heavenly  grace.  Bless  us 
in  the  work  before  us  now.  Make  us  quick  to 
learn  and  eager  to  be  taught;  may  the  good  seed 
of  thy  word,  planted  in  our  hearts  to-day,  bring 
forth  abundant  fruit  in  days  to  come.  Thou  hast 
made  our  bodies  the  temples  of  thy  presence  ; 
may  our  lives  show  forth  thy  praise.  Lord,  hear 
our  prayer,  and  let  our  cry  come  unto  thee,  for 
the  sake  of  thy  dear  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


OLORD  God,  we  humbly  beseech  thee  to 
direct  our  thoughts  and  prayers  this  day; 
purify  our  hearts  from  every  evil  and  false  im- 
agination, and  may  no  vain  and  worldly  desires 
have  their  abode  in  us.  Keep  us  from  all  wan- 
dering looks  and  ways,  from  an  undevout  mind, 
and  careless  praj^ers.  Let  the  voice  of  thy  love 
enter  into  our  souls,  that  we  may  study  thy  word 
with  reverence  and  holy  fear,  with  fervour  and 
delight.  O  God,  thou  seest  us  :  help  us  to  look 
up  unto  thee  ;  for  the  sake  of  thy  Son,  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  makest 
us  both  to  will  and  to  do  those  things  that 
are  good  and  acceptable  unto  thy  divine  majesty  ; 
we  make  our  humble  supplications  unto  thee  for 
these  thy  children.  Let  thy  fatherly  hand,  we 
beseech  thee,  ever  be  over  them  ;  let  thy  Holy 
Spirit  ever  be  with  them  ;  and  so  lead  them  in 
the   knowledge   and   obedience  of    thy  word,  that 


FOR    SUNDAY    SCHOOLS.  91 


in  the  end  they  may  obtain  everlasting  life; 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who,  with  thee 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  liveth  and  reigneth  ever, 
one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


BLESSED  Lord,  who  hast  given  us  a  new 
commandment,  that  we  should  love  one  an- 
other as  thou  hast  loved  us,  and  hast  taught  us 
that  where  envy  and  strife  is,  there  is  confusion 
and  every  evil  work  ;  Give  us  grace  to  be  kindly 
affectioned,  and  to  love  one  another  with  a  pure 
heart.  Put  far  from  us  all  anger  and  evil  speak- 
ing, that  we  may  obtain  the  blessing  of  the 
peacemakers,  and  walk  in  love,  even  as  thou 
hast  loved  us,  through  thy  merits,  O  blessed  Sav- 
iour and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


O  MERCIFUL  Father,  do  thou  enable  us  day 
by  day  to  increase  in  wisdom  and  holiness. 
May  we  never  forget  that  thine  eye  is  always 
upon  us,  and  that  thou  art  about  our  path,  and 
art  acquainted  with  all  our  ways.  Enable  us  to 
resist  the  sins  that  we  deplore,  and  to  strive  to 
do  those  things  that  thou  wouldest  have  done. 
O  God,  may  thy  Holy  Spirit  never  leave  our 
hearts,  but  guide  us  continually,  and  lead  us  into 
all  truth,  for  our  Saviour's  sake.     Amen. 


OGOD,  who  didst  reveal  thyself  to  thy 
Prophet  Samuel  while  he  was  yet  a  child  ; 
Grant  unto  us,  thy  children,  the  knowledge  of  thy 
will,  that  we  may  ever  walk  in  thy  command- 
ments, through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  didst  sit  lowly  in 
the  midst  of  the  doctors,  both  hearing  them 
and  asking  them  questions  ;  Grant  unto  us,  thy 
servants,  both  aptness  to  teach  and  willingness 
to  learn  thy  blessed  will ;  who  livest  and  reignest 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Ainen. 


92  PRAYERS    FOR 


FOR    SUNDAY    SCHOOL    TEACHERS. 

LMIGHTY  God,  our  Father  and  Teacher, 
who  speakest  in  a  thousand  voices  to  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  men  ;  Grant  to  us  that  we 
may  be  taught  of  thee.  Teach  us  to  be  truly 
humble  in  our  search  for  thy  truth,  so  that  our 
eyes  may  be  opened  ta  behold  the  wondrous 
things  out  of  thy  law.  Give  us  a  single-hearted 
purpose  to  make  the  children  whom  we  are  called 
to  teach  from  thy  Holy  ^A^ord  completely  thy 
children  in  purity  and  good  works.  ^  Teach  us  to 
await  without  impatience  thy  good  time,  and  to 
trust  thee  wholly  for  the  harvest,  if  only  we  may 
sow  the  seed  with  conscience  and  in  love.  Grant 
us  understanding  hearts  to  read  our  childrens' 
characters  and  needs,  and  to  lead  them  with  wis- 
dom and  gentleness  into  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness and  peace,  i  Strengthen  our  own  souls  with 
a  holy  strength  "to  resist  the  evil  and  to  show 
forth  in  our  lives  the  good,  and  so  fill  us  with  a 
love  of  the  truth  and  enlighten  our  minds  with 
the  light  of  the  everlasting  gospel,  that  we  may 
be  worthy  fellow-workers  with  thy  dear  Son  in 
the  upbuilding  of  his  kingdom.  We  ask  all  in 
his  name.     Amen. 

"OST  merciful  God,  who  art  the  fountain  of 
all  grace,  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  to  the 
teachers  in  this  school  thy  gifts  of  wisdom,  gen- 
tleness, and  patience.  May  they  find  their  v/ork 
a  joy,  and  count  all  labor  light  that  is  undertaken 
out  of  love  towards  thee.  Guard  them  from  the 
temptation  to  a  careless  and  half-hearted  service. 
May  a  consciousness  of  the  solemn  responsi- 
bility which  is  theirs  be  always  present  with 
them.  Bless  their  every  word  to  the  good  of 
the  pupils  committed  to  their  care  ;  and  may  thy 
Holy  Spirit  so  enforce  the  teaching  given  by 
them  that,  at  the  last,  the  reward  which  thou  hast 
promised  those  who  turn  many  to  righteousness 
may  be  theirs.  All  which  we  ask  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Saviour.     Amen. 


SUNDAY    SCHOOL    TEACHERS.  93 


OGOD,  by  whom  the  meek  are  guided  in 
judgment,  and  light  riseth  up  in  darkness  for 
the  godly  ;  Grant  us,  in  all  our  doubts  and  uncer- 
tainties, the  grace  to  ask  what  thou  wouldest 
have  us  to  do,  that  the  spirit  of  wisdom  may  save 
us  from  all  false  choices,  and  that  in  thy  light  we 
may  see  light,  and  in  thy  straight  path  may  not 
stumble  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


OGOD,  whose  word  lighteneth  the  eyes  of  the 
blind ;  Vouchsafe  us,  we  beseech  thee,  the 
light  of  thy  truth ;  that  fashioning  our  lives  with 
all  meekness  to  the  obedience  of  heavenly  wis- 
dom, we  may  by  humility  in  things  temporal  at- 
tain to  the  gloi-y  of  the  things  eternal;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Aiaen. 


OLORD  and  Saviour  Christ,  who  earnest  not 
to  strive  nor  cry,  but  to  let  thy  words  fall  as 
the  drops  that  water  the  earth  ;  Grant  all  who 
contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered,  never  to  in- 
jure it  by  clamor  or  impatience  ;  but  speaking 
thy  precious  truth  in  love,  so  to  present  it  that  it 
may  be  loved,  and  that  men  may  see  in  it  thy 
goodness  and  thy  beauty,  who  livest  and  reignest 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 


LORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  didst  send  from 
the  Father  the  Comforter,  even  the  Spirit  of 
Truth  ;  Grant  that  he  may  enlighten  our  minds 
with  the  teaching  of  thy  truth,  and  sanctify  our 
hearts  with  the  power  of  thy  grace,  so  that  ever- 
more abiding  in  thee  we  may  be  found  steadfast 
in  faith  and  holy  in  life,  being  conformed  unto 
thine  image,  who  art  with  the  Father  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  ever  one  God,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 


94  PRAYERS    FOR    BIBLE    CLASSES. 


GOD,    the  light  and   life   of    all    believers; 

grant  that  they  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  hath 
made  thy  children  by  adoption  and  grace,  loving 
thee  without  lukewarmness,  and  confessing  thy 
faith  without  dissension,  may  obtain  that  peace 
which  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  promised  to  all 
those  who  truly  follow  him  ;  through  the  same 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Axnen. 


FOR    BIBLE    CLASSES. 

OGOD,  who  hast  given  us  thy  Word  to  be  a 
lamp  unto  our  feet  and  a  light  unto  our  path  ; 
Grant  unto  us  to  hear  that  Word  and  believe  it, 
and  to  follow  thee  patiently  in  humble  faith,  till 
we  see  thee  as  thou  art ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

LORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  art  the  truth  in- 
carnate and  the  teacher  of  the  faithful ;  Let 
thy  spirit  overshadow  us  in  reading  thy  word, 
and  conform  our  thoughts  to  thy  Revelation,  that 
learning  of  thee  with  honest  hearts,  we  may  be 
rooted  and  built  up  in  thee,  who  livest  and  reign- 
est  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 

LORD,  who  hast  given  unto  us  thy  holy 
Word,  bestow  upon  us  the  gift  of  faith, 
that  we  may  hold  fast  the  truth  in  our  strife  with 
sin,  and  may  be  saved  by  him  whom  that  Word 
makes  known,  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son,  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

GOD,  who  hast  called  us  to  be  children  of 
the  resurrection,  and  hast  made  us  citizens 
of  the  Jerusalem  which  is  above ;  Grant  that 
whensoever  in  the  dimness  of  this  life  present 
our  eyes  are  holden  that  we  see  thee  not,  our 
hearts  may  alway  be  attentive  to  thy  holy  Word, 
and  burn  within  us,  as  it  is  opened  by  thy  Son, 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    BIBLE    CLASSES.  95 


OHOLY  and  Eternal  Jesus,  who  hast  begot- 
ten us  by  thy  Word,  renewed  us  by  thy  Spirit, 
fed  us  by  thy  Sacraments  and  by  the  daily  min- 
istry of  thy  Word,  still  go  on  to  build  us  up  to 
life  eternal.  Let  thy  most  Holy  Spirit  be  present 
with  us  and  rest  upon  us  in  the  reading  and 
studying  of  thy  sacred  Word,  that  we  may  do 
it  humbly,  reverently,  without  prejudice,  with 
minds  ready  and  desirous  to  learn  and  to  obey, 
that  we  may  be  readily  furnished  to  every  good 
work,  and  may  practice  all  thy  holy  lav/s  and 
commandments,  to  the  glory  of  thy  name,  whom 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  we  worship 
now  and  ever.     Amen. 


SHOW  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  us, 
O  Lord,  that  the  going  forth  of  thy  Word 
may  give  light  and  understanding,  to  nourish  the 
hearts  of  the  simple  ;  and  that  while  our  desire 
is  set  on  thy  commandments,  we  may  receive 
with  open  heart  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  under- 
standing ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
Amen. 


LMIGHTY  and  most  merciful  God,  who  hast 
sent  this  Book  to  be  tbe  revelation  of    thy 
1  U^     great  love  to  man,  and  of  thy  power  and  will  to 
»r^^v^  save  him,-  grant  that  our  study  of  it  may  not  be 
^  V       made   vain   by   the    callousness    or   carelessness 
poh     of  our  hearts,  but  that  by  it  we  may  be  confirmed 
in  penitence,  lifted  to  hope,  made   strong  for  ser- 
vice and  above  all,  filled  with  the  true  knowledge 
of  thee  and  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


/t,<5^t.   ^kt^-eJ^ 


^ 


96  PREPARING    FOR    CONFIRMATION. 

FOR    PERSONS    PREPARING    FOR    CON- 
FIRMATION. 

^jy,  /^  LORD  God,  giver  of  heavenly  increase, 
^^  \J  who  by  thy  Spirit's  might  dost  confirm  the 
(  first  efforts  of  feeble  souls ;  Encourage  in  the 
hearts  of  these  thy  children  every  good  intent, 
and  carry  them  from  strength  to  strength. 
Cleanse  their  consciences,  and  stir  their  wills 
gladly  to  serve  thee,  the  living  God.  Leave  no 
room  in  them  for  spiritual  wickedness,  no  lurk- 
ing-place for  secret  sins :  but  so  establish  and 
sanctify  them  by  the  power  of  thy  holy  Word, 
that  evermore  taking  heed  unto  the  thing  that  is 
right,  and  speaking  and  doing  the  truth,  they 
may  find  godliness  their  gain  both  in  the  life 
which  now  is,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.    Aiaen. 

LORD  Jesus  Christ,  the  good  Shepherd  of 
the  sheep,  look  mercifully  upon  these  thy 
children,  and  fit  them  for  Confirmation  and  Holy 
Communion.  Give  them  unfeigned  repentance, 
and  steadfast  faith  in  thee  ;  create  and  make  in 
them  new  and  contrite  hearts  ;  give  them  power 
and  strength  to  have  victory  and  to  triumph 
against  sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil.  Cleanse 
their  souls  that  thy  Holy  Spirit  may  dwell  in 
them  ;  and  receive  them,  we  beseech  thee,  to  thy 
Blessed  Presence,  in  the  Holy  Communion,  that 
knowing  thee  by  faith,  they  may  after  this  life 
have  the  fruition  of  thy  glorious  Godhead,  who 
livest  and  reignest  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.    Amen. 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION.  97 

IN    PREPARATION    FOR    THE    HOLY 
COMMUNION. 

OGOD,  in  whose  sight  the  very  heavens  are 
not  clean,  and  who  chargest  even  thine 
Angels  with  folly  ;  Mercifully  enlighten  our  souls 
that  we  may  see  our  v/eakness  and  sin,  and  with 
all  lowliness  of  heart  turn  unto  thee,  the  only 
Giver  of  all  goodness ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

MERCIFUL  Saviour,  who  not  only  didst  die 
for  us,  but  also  dost  give  thyself  to  be  our 
spiritual  Food  and  Sustenance  in  the  blessed 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar  ;  We  pray  thee  to  look 
down  in  mercy  upon  these  thy  children,  who 
most  earnestly  desire  to  come  to  thee  as  the 
true  Shepherd  of  the  flock,  the  one  Physician  of 
the  soul.  Thou  who  hast  said.  Him  that  cometh 
unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out,  accept  the 
hearts  of  these  thy  servants,  make  them  thine 
own.  Make  them  partakers  of  thy  one  unending 
Sacrifice.  Feed  them  with  the  Bread  of  Life. 
Cleanse  them  in  the  fountain  of  thy  Blood. 
Take  them,  O  gracious  Saviour,  to  thyself,  let 
them  never  more  be  separated  from  thee. 
All  this  v/e  ask  for  thy  merits,  O  Blessed  Jesus, 
whom  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  we 
worship,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  whose  blessed  Son  did 
institute  and  ordain  holy  mysteries  as 
pledges  of  his  love,  and  for  a  continual  remem- 
brance of  his  death  ;  Mercifully  grant  that  we 
and  all  who  shall  this  day  come  to  thy  holy 
Table,  may  be  filled  with  a  deep  sense  of  the 
exceeding  holiness  of  that  blessed  mystery,  and 
drawing  near  with  true  penitent  hearts,  and  lively 
faith,  in  love  and  charity  with  all  men,  may 
worthily  receive  that  holy  Sacrament,  and  obtain 
the  fulness  of  thy  grace,  to  "our  present  comfort 
and  our  everlasting  salvation  ;  through  the 
same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


^ 


98  IN    PREPARATION    FOR 


V  /^  PITIFUL  Lord,  and  most  merciful  Re- 
V-r  deemer,  who  seest  us  and  knowest  all  our 
thoughts,  and  who  dost  weigh  in  thy  just 
balance  our  mistakes  and  our  transgressions ; 
though  our  sins  call  loudly  to  thy  justice,  yet 
do  our  miseries  and  our  needs  cry  more  loudly 
to  thy  compassion  and  thy  infinite  mercies. 
Great  as  is  our  ill-desert,  it  cannot  exceed  thy 
power  to  redeem  us  and  thy  grace  to  forgive  ; 
nor  can  we  long  to  be  saved  so  much  as  thou 
dost  long  to  save  us.  Enter  thou.  Loving  Lord, 
into  our  hearts ;  cast  out  from  thence  thy 
enemies ;  cherish  there  the  fruits  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit  ;  and  grant  unto  us  submissive  and  un- 
tiring obedience  to  thy  will,  righteous  and  pure 
desires,  and  a  spirit  of  constant  prayer.  Light 
of  the  world,  enlighten  us  ;  Life  of  the  sinful, 
grant  us  life;  Fountain  of  Love,  fill  us  with  love 
of  thee,  and  in  that  love  sanctify  us  wholly ; 
Heavenly  Physician,  heal  us,  in  body  and 
in  soul  ;  for  thou  only  hast  power ;  and  bring 
us,  we  beseech  thee,  unto  thy  Kingdom,  where 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  thou  livest, 
one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

ALMIGHTY  Father,  whose  dear  Son  did  in 
the  Garden  of  Gethsemane  accept  the  cup 
thou  gavest  him  to  drink,  that  so  he  might  taste 
death  for  every  man ;  Mercifully  grant  that  we 
to  whom  he  ministers  the  cup  of  blessing  may 
thankfully  receive  it  in  remembrance  of  him, 
and  show  our  Lord's  death  till  he  come  ;  who 
liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

.  /^  LORD,  infinite  in  mercy,  and  whose  good- 
\J  ness  is  everlasting ;  Hear  our  prayer,  and 
turn  us  away  from  all  that  can  separate  us  from 
thee,  and  make  us  to  love  that  which  tends  to 
draw  us  unto  thee.  So  rule  our  hearts  that  we 
may  seek  and  long  for  and  possess  thee  only. 
Be  it  our  pain  to  lose  thee,  and  our  only  gain 
to  love  thee  more  and  more.  Raise  our  desires 
and  hopes,  our  whole  powers  and   life,  unto  thy 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION.  gg 


holy  and  loving  service.  Bestow  upon  us  that 
which  thou  seest  us  to  need,  and  fit  us  to 
receive  the  good  which  thou  desirest  to  give, 
O  thou  who  alone  art  our  Life,  our  Light  and  our 
Salvation.     Amen. 

AGAINST  thee,  O  Lord,  have  we  sinned,  l,^^ 
and  done  evil  in  thy  sight.  We  are  not 
worthy  to  be  called  thy  sons.  We  have  sinned 
miserably.  We  have  perilled  our  souls.  And 
yet  what  is  our  sorrow  for  our  sins  ?  O  God,  we 
tremble  when  we  see  how  cold  and  hard  and  un- 
moved our  hearts  remain.  We  say,  "  We  are 
heartily  sorry  for  these  our  misdoings  ;  "  yet  we 
much  fear  our  sorrow  is  not  hearty.  We  say, 
"  The  remembrance  of  them  is  grievous  unto 
us;"  yet  our  grief  is  but  as  the  shadow  that 
passeth  by.  We  say,  "The  burden  of  them  is 
intolerable  ; "  yet  that  burden  bears  not  down 
our  souls  in  shame  and  sorrow.  O  Lord,  we  are 
amazed  to  behold  how  lightly  we  are  moved  by 
our  exceeding  sinfulness.  Thou  who  didst  cause 
water  to  flow  out  of  the  rock  of  stone,  break  these 
stony  hearts  of  ours,  that  streams  of  true  godly 
sorrow  and  penitence  may  flow  forth.  Take 
away  the  heart  of  stone,  and  give  unto  us  the 
heart  of  flesh  ;  that  we  may  feel  our  own  great 
misery,  and  cast  ourselves  upon  thy  great  mercy. 
May  thy  Holy  Spirit  work  in  us  the  grace  of  a 
true  repentance.  May  we  learn  to  know  how 
much  we  have  sinned  and  how  much  we  have 
been  forgiven,  that  so  we  may  love  much ; 
through  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  Lord  and  Saviour. 
Amen. 

O  MERCIFUL    Father,   we   offer    unto     thee   '^ 
our    earnest    intercession  for   all    the    com- 
municants of    thy   Church   in   all  places,  but   es- 
pecially for  ourselves  and  all  other  communicants 
of  this  parish.      Give  unto  us,   we   beseech   thee, 
larger  outpourings  of  thy  grace  and    Holy  Spirit.    |^J^J«^.  f 
Knit    us  together  more   closely  in   the  bonds   o^/v^-*^^" 
^  unity  and  love.     Make  us  to  feel  more   really  our  ^jfw^A***^*** 


IN    PREPARATION    FOR 


Christian  fellowship  and  brotherhood.  Make  us 
to  stand  out  more  distinctly  as  thy  true  children 
and  faithful  people.  Make  us  to  be  more  con- 
sistently religious,  more  unworldly,  more  spirit- 
ually-minded. May  we  have  grace  always  to 
confess  Christ  before  men.  ]  We  ought  to  be  the 
first,  when  alas  !  we  are  too  often  the  last.  We 
ought  to  be  examples  to  the  flock,  when  alas! 
we  may  v/ell  learn  of  others  how  to  walk.  We 
ought  to  let  our  light  so  shine  before  men  that 
they  may  glorify  thee,  when  alas  !  we  too  often 
shame  our  holy  professions.  Oh,  take  from  us 
all  our  luke-warmness  and  half-heartedness. 
Stir  up  within  us  more  life  and  zeal  and  thor- 
ough devotion  to  thee.  Give  us  the  spirit  of 
prayer,  without  which  we  cannot  serve  thee  truly. 
Make  us  forward  and  self-denying  in  good  works. 
Make  us  to  care  for  the  eternal  good  of  others, 
that  we  may,  each  according  to  his  power  and  his 
calling,  teach  thy  ways  unto  the  wicked,  and  that 
sinners  may  be  converted  unto  thee.  Build  us 
up  more  and  more,  O  Lord,  in  faith,  and  love, 
and  unity,  and  holiness  ;  for  the  sake  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  only  Lord  and  Saviour.     Amen. 

O  HEAVENLY  Father,  we  have  loved  thee, 
but  not  enough,  we  have  sought  thee,  but 
not  diligently,  we  have  seen  but  not  perceived,  we 
have  heard  but  not  understood,  we  have  hoped 
for  things  heavenly  but  clung  to  things  of  earth, 
and  our  hearts  have  been  far  from  thee,  the 
Holy  One.  Draw  them  now  in  mercy  unto  thy- 
self, O  God,  that  the  time  to  come  be  not  as  the 
past,  but  that  finding,  perceiving,  understanding 
and  loving  thee,  we  may  have  rest  and  joy  un- 
disturbed forevermore  ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

MERCIFUL  Lord  God,  who  hast  vouch- 
safed to  feed  us,  thy  unworthy  creatures, 
with  that  Bread  which  came  down  from  heaven, 
and  giveth  life  unto  the  soul ;  So  strengthen  and 
sustain    us,    we     beseech    thee,    with     thy    most 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION. 


gracious  gifts,  that  we  may  resist  all  temptations 
of  the  world,  the  fiesh,  and  the  devil,  and  walk- 
ing in  the  v/ay  of  thy  commandments,  may 
glorify  thy  holy  name,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

OHOLY  Saviour,  who  didst  command  thy 
disciples  to  partake  of  the  holy  Sacrament 
of  thy  most  blessed  Body  and  Blood,  we  would 
in  humble  thankfulness  obey  thy  gracious  com- 
mand. Accept,  we  praj--  thee,  this  thy  servant, 
who  now  desires  to  be  a  partaker  of  *  this  blessed 
Sacrament,  Thou  didst  eat  and  drink  with  pub- 
licans and  sinners.  Refuse  him  not,  though  he 
be  but  as  one  of  these.  Give  unto  him.  the  mar- 
riage-garment, that  he  may  come  holy  and  clean 
to  such  a  heavenly  feast.  May  he  draw  near 
with  faith,  and  take  this  Sacrament  to  his  com- 
fort. May  he  find  in  it  strength  for  all  his  trials, 
and  consolation  for  ail  his  troubles.  May  it  bring 
to  him  peace  and  joy,  through  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  May  he  realize  his  Saviour's  pres- 
ence, and  learn  new  lessons  of  his  Saviour's  love. 
Join  him  anew  unto  thyself  and  to  thy  Spiritual 
Body,  which  is  the  blessed  company  of  all  faith- 
ful people.  And  make  this  holy  feast  to  be  to 
him  a  pledge  and  foretaste  of  the  great  marriage 
supper  of  the  Lamb.  Hear  thy  unworthy  ser- 
vants, O  blessed  Jesus,  who  livest  and  reignest 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Am.en. 


X02         PRAYERS    FOR    CHURCH    WORKERS. 

PRAYERS    FOR    CHURCH    WORKERS. 

For  any  Guild, 

OGOD,  who  knowest  that  we  are  not  sufficient 
of  ourselves  to  think  anything  as  of  our- 
selves, but  that  all  our  sufficiency  is  of  thee,  assist 
us  with  thy  grace  in  all  our  work  for  others, 
direct  us  in  it  by  thy  wisdom,  support  us  by 
thy  power,  that  doing  our  duty  diligently  we 
may  bring  it  to  a  good  end,  so  that  it  may  be 
profitable  to  our  own  souls  and  tend  to  the 
greater  glory  of  thy  Name,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Aiuen. 

The  Brothe7'hood  of  St.  Andrew. 

ALMIGHTY  and  Eternal  God,  we  humbly 
pray  thee  to  vouchsafe  thy  blessing  to  this 
Brotherhood,  that  all  its  members,  being  inspired 
with  lively  faith  and  love,  may  earnestly  strive 
to  promote  the  honour  due  to  thy  dear  Son, 
the  spread  of  his  Church  and  the  gathering 
of  wanderers  into  the  fold ;  give  us  grace  to 
fulfil  in  our  lives  what  we  profess  with  our  lips  ; 
deliver  us,  O  God,  from  false  doctrine  and 
slackness  of  living;  and  grant  that  persevering 
unto  the  end,  we  may  obtain  everlasting  life ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

For  Moral  Courage. 

HEAVENLY  Father,  thou  knowest  the 
weakness  and  cowardliness  of  my  heart. 
Thou  knowest  how  much  I  care  for  the  opinion 
of  men.  Help  me,  I  beseech  thee  to  care  more 
for  what  will  please  thee.  Make  me  strong 
and  courageous  that  I  may  never  be  afraid  to 
do  my  duty.  Give  me  grace  and  courage  to 
speak  when    and    as    I    should.      Let    me   never 


PRAYERS    FOR    CHURCH    WORKERS.         103 

shrink  from  my  duty  through  the  fear  of  man. 
Let  the  love  of  Jesus  fill  my  heart,  that  in  his 
strength  I  may  be  strong.  Give  me  the  con- 
stant guidance  and  assistance  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit.  I  ask  all  in  the  name  and  for  the  sake 
of  thy  dear  Son,  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

The   Girls'  Friendly  Society. 

OLORD,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  beseech 
thee  to  bless  us,  and  all  who  belong  to  the  \- 
Girls'  Friendly  Society.  May  its  members  be 
sheltered  and  protected  evermore  by  thy  fatherly 
love  ;  and  to  its  Associates  vouchsafe  the  help 
and  guidance  of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  Help  us  all 
to  bear  one  another's  burdens,  to  live  not  for 
ourselves,  but  for  others,  as  members  of  one 
family  in  Christ ;  wash  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
precious  blood  ;  make  us  holy  by  the  indwelling 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  bring  us  all  at  last  to  the 
joy  of  thy  Heavenly  Kingdom  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Church  Temperance  Society. 

ALMIGHTY  GOD,  who  didst  make  man  in 
thine  own  image,  and  afterwards  didst  sanc- 
tify our  human  nature  by  the  incarnation  of  thy 
Son,  give  us  grace  to  resist  all  those  sinful  lusts 
whereby  that  which  thou  hast  made  and  sancti- 
fied may  be  defiled.  Send  thy  blessing  in  par- 
ticular, we  pray  thee,  upon  the  Church  Tem- 
perance Society,  that  by  its  means  many  may  be 
brought  back  from  the  ways  of  sin,  and  that  all 
its  members,  living  in  mutual  help  and  sympa- 
thy, may  grow  in  holiness  both  of  soul  and  body, 
until  they  come  to  thy  perfect  likeness  ;  through 
the  mediation  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Am.en. 


104         PRAYERS    FOR    CHURCH    ^VORKERS. 


The   White   Cross  Society. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  our  most  Holy  and  Eternal 
Father,  who  art  of  pure  eyes,  and  canst 
behold  no  uncleanness ;  Let  thy  gracious  and 
Holy  Spirit  descend  upon  thy  servants,  and  re- 
prove the  foul  spirits  of  fornication  and  unclean- 
ness, and  cast  them  out,  that  our  bodies  may 
be  holy  temples  and  our  souls  sanctuaries  to 
entertain  the  Prince  of  Purities,  the  Holy  and 
Eternal  Spirit  of  God.  O  let  no  impure  thoughts 
pollute  that  soul  which  God  has  sanctified,  no 
unclean  words  pollute  that  tongue  which  God 
has  commanded  to  be  an  organ  of  his  praises ; 
no  unholy  and  unchaste  action  rend  the  veil  of 
that  temple  which  the  Holy  Jesus  hath  been 
pleased  to  enter,  and  hath  chosen  for  his  habita- 
tion ;  but  seal  up  all  our  senses  from  vain  objects, 
and  let  them  be  entirely  possessed  with  religion, 
and  fortified  with  prudence,  watchfulness,  and 
mortification ;  that  we  possessing  our  members 
in  holiness  may  lay  them  down  with  a  holy  hope, 
and  receive  them  again  in  a  joyful  resurrection ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


The  Guild  of  the  Silver  Cross. 

HEAVENLY  Father,  help  me  to  remember 
in  every  place  that  thou,  God,  seest  me. 
"Without  thee  nothing  is  strong,  and  no  soul  is 
safe.  Give  me  strength  to  fly  from  ail  occasions 
of  sin  and  to  overcome  every  temptation,  to  keep 
my  solemn  promises,  and  to  obey  thy  command- 
ments. Make  me  pure  in  heart,  watchful  against 
my  spiritual  enemy,  reverent  in  worship,  patient 
when  I  am  provoked,  quiet  and  forgiving  to  all 
around  me.  Hold  me  back  from  offending  thee 
with  my  hands,  my  eyes,  my  tongue,  my  body  or 
my  secret  thoughts.  Show  me  how  to  help  others 
to  do  right,  and  pardon  all  my  sins,  through  my 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    CHURCH    WORKERS.  105 


The  Ministering  Children's  League, 

LOVING  Father,  make  us  and  all  members 
of  our  League  like  the  Holy  Child  Jesus, 
ministering  children,  loving,  kind  and  useful  to 
others.  Teach  us  to  feel  for  the  poor  and  suffer- 
ing, and  may  we  be  ready  to  do  what  we  can  to 
help  all  who  are  in  need  ;  for  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 

The  Daughters  of  the  King. 

O  ETERNAL  Father,  who  hast  sent  us  thy 
Son  to  teach  us  things  pertaining  to  thy 
heavenly  kingdom  ;  give  thy  blessing,  I  beseech 
thee,  to  our  Order  wherever  it  may  be  throughout 
the  world;  vouchsafe  that  I,  thy  daughter,  ever 
may  discern  thy  sacred  truth,  and  bear,  with 
sturdy  mind,  the  cross,  thy  kingly  emblem, 
through  the  battles  of  my  earthly  life  ;  give  me 
strength  to  overcome,  and  grace  that  I  may  strive 
to  spread  thy  kingdom  and  to  gather  thy  dispersed 
sheep  within  thy  fold  ;  pour  out  upon  me  the 
seven-fold  gifts  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may 
never  forget  that  it  is  thy  work  which  I  am  called 
upon  to  do,  that  I  may  think  nothing,  do  nothing 
and  say  nothing  which  may  injure  myself,  my 
neighbour,  or  thy  Holy  work,  and  that  amid  all 
temptations  I  may  be  ready  always  to  forget  self 
in  obeying  thy  most  blessed  will,  until  finally, 
upon  me,  faithful  unto  death,  thou  shalt  bestow 
thy  crown  of  everlasting  life.  I  ask  it  all  for  his 
sake,  for  whom  I  work,  who  died  for  me,  who 
lives  for  me  and  intercedes,  my  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


The  Guild  of  St.  Barnabas  for  Nurses. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  calledst  thy  holy 
Apostle  Barnabas  to  follow  the  steps  of  thy 
blessed  Son  in  ministering  to  the  sick  and  suffer- 
ing ;  Grant  to  us  the  same  spirit  of  consolation, 
that   by  gentleness  and  patience,  we  may  serve 


xo6  PRAYERS    FOR    CHURCH    'WORKERS. 


thy  afflicted  children.  Support  us  in  our  work  ; 
endue  us  with  wisdom  and  skill ;  give  us  sympa- 
thy for  one  another;  deliver  us  in  temptation,  and 
at  last  bring  us  to  thy  rest  and  peace  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Guild  of  the  Iron  Cross. 

LORD  we  beseech  thee  to  bless  thy  ser- 
vants, the  members  and  associates  of  the 
Guild  of  the  Iron  Cross,  and  grant  us  grace  to 
withstand  the  temptations  of  the  world,  the  flesh 
and  the  devil,  and  with  pure  hearts  and  minds  to 
follow  thee,  the  only  God,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Church  Ujiity  Society. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  saidst  unto  thine 
Apostles,  "Peace  I  leave  with  you,  My  peace 
I  give  unto  you,"  regard  not  our  sins,  but  the 
faith  of  thy  Church ;  and  grant  her  that  peace 
and  unity  which  is  agreeable  to  thy  will,  who 
livest  and  reignest,  God  for  ever  and  ever.  Aniexi. 

The  Junior  Auxiliary. 

ALMIGHTY  Father,  send  down  upon  thy  chil- 
dren thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  we  may  choose 
and  love  thy  way.  Give  us  some  work  to  do  for 
thee ;  and  help  us  to  follow  every  holy  call ;  for 
the  sake  of  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


HEAVENLY  Father,  we  pray  thee  to  bless 
us  and  all  members  of  the  Junior  Auxiliary, 
with  wisdom,  zeal,  and  constancy,  in  our  work 
for  thee.  Prosper  the  missions  of  thy  holy 
church  ;  and  strengthen  with  thy  Holy  Spirit  all 
who  are  engaged  in  missionary  work  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


PRAYERS   AT    A    RETREAT.  107 


For  Mothers'  Meetings, 

OMOST  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  hast 
sanctified  the  name  of  Mother  by  deigning 
to  be  born  of  human  flesh  ;  We  come  to  thee  in 
behalf  of  ...  .  for  all  the  blessings  of  ma- 
ternal sanctity,  purity  and  love.  O  enable  them 
to  feel  as  mothers  for  all  the  suffering  children  of 
guilt  and  sorrow,  want  and  care.  Bestow  upon 
them,  we  most  earnestly  beseech  thee,  those 
special  graces  which  become  them,  and  adorn 
them,  as  faithful  wives  and  mothers,  with  gentle 
wisdom,  a  loving  prudence,  forbearance,  tender- 
ness and  sweetness ;  an  untiring  patience  and 
forgiveness  and  willingness  to  suffer.  Make 
them  courageous  in  danger,  skilful  in  difficulty, 
self-forgetting,  self-sacrificing;  so  that  tiiey  may 
engage  in  thy  works  of  mercy  and  charity,  with 
pure  and  clean  hearts;  and  so  that  all  they  do  or 
say  or  think,  for  the  relief  of  human  sorrow  and 
wretchedness,  may  be  to  please  and  glorify  thee, 
who  thyself  didst  take  our  infirmities  and  bear 
our  sicknesses ;  and  who  now  livest  and  reignest, 
in  the  unity  of  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
ever  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    AT    A    RETREAT. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  didst  say  to  thy 
disciples,  Come  ye  apart  into  a  desert  place 
and  rest  awhile ;  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  to  thy 
servants  now  gathered  together,  so  to  seek  thee 
whom  our  souls  desire  to  love,  that  we  may  both 
find  thee  and  be  found  of  thee,'  and  grant  such 
love  and  such  wisdom  to  accompa»y  the  words 
^yhich  shall  be  spoken  in  thy  Name,  that  they 
may  not  fall  to  the  ground,  but  may  be  helpful  in 
leading  us  onward  thxruigii-  ^he  toils  of  our  pil- 
giimage,  to  that  rest  which  -r^ taaineth ,  where, 
nevertheless,  they  rest  not  day  nor  night  from 
thy  perfect  service,  who  livest  and  reignest  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God  forever 
and  ever.     Amen, 


l^ 


PRAYERS   AT    A    RETREAT. 


LESS  us,  O  God,  with  the  vision  of  thy  be- 
ing and  beauty,  that  in  the  strength  of  it  we 
may  work  without  haste  and  without  rest, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 

v^wf  ^RAiSED^-and:  blessed  be  thy  holy  Name,  O 
A      Lord,  for  having  called  us  to   thy  ministry. 

*4  We  glorify  thee,  because  thou  art  a  God  who 
never  breakest  faith.  Not  one  good-thing  hath 
failed  of  all  thou  didst  promise,  when  we  were 
ordained.  Thou  hast  broken  our  dreams,  but  it 
was  only  that  we  might  learn  to  think  in  thy 
broad  day.  Thou  hast  put  aside  our  plans,  but 
it  was  only  that  we  might  open  our  eyes  and  see 
the  depth  and  clearness  of  thy  plan.  Thou  hast 
not  spared  our  vanity  and  pride.  Every  high 
thought  in  us  thou  hast  struck  down.  But  it  was 
only  that  we  might  find  how  dear  we  are  to  thee 
a-ud  set  our  feet  on  the  rock  of  thy  favour.  Finish 
then,  thy  discipline  of  us,  even  though  it  be  by 
fire.  Out  of  the  flames  will  we  praise  thee. 
•  'Praised  and  blessed  be  thy  Name^O  God,  who 
keepest  thy  Word.     Amen. 

l^  r\  GOD  the  Holy  Ghost,  we  thine  unworthy 
^■J  servants  most  humbly  beseech  thee  to  be 
our  light  and  strength  in  our  present  work. 
Come  to  us  and  teach  us  what  to  do,  that  by  thy 
help  we  may  please  thee  in  all  things.  Let  not 
ignorance  draw  us  astray,  nor  respect  of  persons 
corrupt  our  doings.  Illuminate  our  minds  and 
sanctify  our  hearts,  O  blessed  Spirit,  whom,  with 
the  Father  and  the  Son  together,  we  worship  and 
glorify  as  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


>f «'      A  .  ^  ^ 


CHOIR    PRAYERS.  109 


CHOIR    PRAYERS. 

Before  Service. 

OGOD,  before  whose  throne  in  heaven  the 
saints,  standing  on  the  sea  of  glass,  sing  the 
song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb  ;  Grant  us  so  to 
sing  thy  praises  here  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the 
understanding  also,  that  we  may  be  counted 
worthy  to  learn  the  new  song,  which  none  can 
learn  save  those  that  shall  be  redeemed  from  the 
earth  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.        Amen. 

OGOD,  our  heavenly  Father,  who  hast  called 
us  to  the  sacred  ministry  of  praise  in  the 
service  of  thy  church,  make  us  ready  now  to 
worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Teach  us  to 
understand  and  love  thy  holy  service  and  help  us 
to  be  reverent  and  attentive,  guarding  us  from  all 
wandering  thoughts  and  unseemly  actions,  and 
make  all  that  we  shall  say  and  do  acceptable  unto 
thee  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,     Amen. 

O  HEAVENLY  Father,  we  are  going  into 
thy  house.  Cleanse  our  hearts  and  help  us 
to  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Keep  our 
minds  from  idle  and  worldly  thoughts,  and  grant 
that  the  prayers  and  praises  of  thy  people  may 
go  up  from  thy  holy  temple  on  earth  to  thy 
mercy  seat  in  heaven ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


After  Service. 

GRANT,  O  Lord,  that  what  we  have  sung 
with  our  lips,  we  may  believe  in  our  hearts ; 
and  what  we  believe  in  our  hearts,  we  may  prac- 
tise in  our  lives  ;  so  that  being  doers  of  the  word 
and  not  hearers  only,  we  may  obtain  everlasting 
life;  through  Jesus  Chr::it  our  Lord.     Amen. 


CHOIR    PRAYERS. 


THANKS  be  to  thee,  O  God,  for  all  thy  mer- 
cies. Pardon  our  wandering  thoughts  and 
cold  desires,  and  grant  that  when  we  leave  thy 
house  we  may  not  leave  thy  presence,  but  may 
be  ever  near  to  thee  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


O  ALMIGHTY  God  and  heavenly  Father,  ac- 
cept, we  beseech  thee,  this  our  bounden  duty 
and  service.  Whatsoever  we  have  offered 
aright,  graciously  regard,  and  wherein  we  have 
been  negligent,  mercifully  pardon,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake,  our  Lord.    Amen. 


FORMS  OF 

PRAYER   TO    BE    USED   IN 
FAMILIES. 

Morning  Prayer, 

IT  The  Master  or  Mistress  Jiaviiig  called  together  as  many  of  the 
Family  as  can  convetiiently  be  prese7it,  let  one  of  thein,  or  atiy 
other  ivhoin  they  shall  thitik  proper,  say  as  follows,  all  kneeling. 


o 


UR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  etc. 


ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  Acknowledg- 
God,  in  whom  we  live  and  Zl^'/y  ^^^ ^''/Jj. 
move  and  have  our  bemg ;  We,  vation,  especially 
thy  needy  creatures,  render  thee  through  the  night 
our  humble  praises,  for  thy  pres-  ^^^^' 
ervation  of  us  from  the  beginning  of  our  lives 
to  this  day,  and  especially  for  having  delivered  us 
from  the  dangers  of  the  past  night.  To  thy 
watchful  providence  we  owe  it, 
[-that  no  disturbance  hath   come       *Z^''J JJ'fA 

L  .  ,         ,,.  ances  oj  any  Kind 

nigh  us  or  our  dwelimg  ;  but  that  befall  a  family,  in- 
we  are  brought  in  safety  to  the  stead  of  this,  say, 
beginning  of  this  day.]  For  ^  ^"^^^^^ 
these  thy  mercies,  we  bless  and  we  are  brought  in 
magnify  thy  glorious  Name  ;  hum-  safety  to  the  be- 
bly  beseeching  thee  to  accept  this  gianing  of  this  day. 
our  morning  sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanksgiving; 
for  his  sake  who  lay  down  in  the  grave,  and  rose 
again  for  us,  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

AND  since  it  is  of   thy  mercy, 

O  gracious    Father,  that    an-  Jj'^i^^t.^t 

other  day  is   added  to   our  lives;  God's  service, with 

We  here  dedicate  both  our  souls  «  resolution  to  be 

and   our   bodies    to   thee   and   thy  srozving  daily  in 

.    .  ■%  goodness. 

service,  in  a  sober,  righteous,  and 

godly  life :  in  which  resolution,  do  thou,  O  mer- 


112  FORMS    OF    PRAYER 


ciful  God,  confirm  and  strengthen  us  ;  that,  as  we 
grow  in  age,  we  may  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


BUT,  O  God,  who  knowest  the 
weakness    and    corruption    of       Prayer    for 
our     nature,     and     the     manifold    f  ^^f  ^^  e^mble  ns 

'       ,   .    ,  ,     .,  to    perforin     that 

temptations  which  we  daily  meet  resolution. 
with  ;  We  humbly  beseech  thee  to 
have  compassion  on  our  infirmities,  and  to  give 
us  the  constant  assistance  of  thy  Holy  Spirit ; 
that  we  may  be  effectually  restrained  from  sin, 
and  excited  to  our  duty.  Imprint  upon  our 
hearts  such  a  dread  of  thy  judgments,  and  such 
a  grateful  sense  of  thy  goodness  to  us,  as  may 
make  us  both  afraid  and  ashamed  to  offend  thee. 
And,  above  all,  keep  in  our  minds  a  lively  re- 
membrance of  that  great  day,  in  which  we  must 
give  a  strict  account  of  our  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions ;  and  according  to  the  works  done  in  the 
body,  be  eternally  rewarded  or  punished,  by  him 
whom  thou  hast  appointed  the  Judge  of  quick 
and  dead,  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

N  particular,     we     implore    thy 
grace    and    protection    for    the       For    grace    to 
ensuing  day.     Keep  us  temperate   sfde  and  keep  m 

°  1     ,    •     ,  ^     ,.,.       the jouoivins:  day, 

in  our  meats  and  drinks,  and  dili-  and    for     God's 

gent     in     our      several      callings.  Messing  on  the  bus- 

Grant  us  patience   under  any  af-  i'^e^s  of  the  same. 

fiictions   thou  shalt  see  fit  to  lay  »0n    Sunday 

on    us,    and    minds     always    con-  vwming,    instead 

tented  with  our  present  condition.  K  .^^'"li  "^I'^-^c  ^"^ 

r^.  ^       -i         •       ^  1  let  thy  Holy  Spirit 

Give  us  grace  to  be  just  and  up-  accompany  us  to 
right  in  all  our  dealings ;  quiet  the  place  of  thy 
and    peaceable;    full   of    compas-   P^^l^'^      worship, 

^        J  J  '  ,  ,  ,•■  making  us  serious 

sion ;  and  ready  to  do  good  to  all  and  attentive,  and 

men,    according    to     our    abilities  raising  our  minds 

and   opportunities.      Direct  us   in  ^'"°™  ^^^  thoughts 

^^  r^  1  ,01      this      WOrld      tO 

all   our  ways,    [*and    prosper    the    the    consideration 

of  the  next ;  that 
we  may  fervently  join  in  the  prayers  and  praises  of  thy  Church, 
and  listen  to  our  duty  with  honest  hearts,  in  order  to  practise  it. 


TO    BE    USED    IN    FAMILIES.  113 


works  of  our  hands  in  the  business  of  our  seve- 
ral stations.]  Defend  us  from  all  dangers  and 
adversities ;  and  be  graciously  pleased  to  take 
us,  and  all  things  belonging  to  us,  under  thy 
fatherly  care  and  protection.  These  things,  and 
whatever  else  thou  shalt  see  necessary  and  con- 
venient to  us,  we  humbly  beg  through  the  merits 
and  mediation  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord 
and  Saviour.     Amen. 

THE  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  with  us  all  evermore.     Amen. 


Evening  Prayer. 

IT  The  Family  being  together,  a  little  hefore\bed-tinie.  Jet  the  Mas- 
ter or  Alistressi  or  any  other  whom  they  shall  think  proper,  say 
as/ollows,  all  k>ieeling. 


o 


UR   Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  etc. 


MOST   merciful    God,  who  art 
of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold       Co7t/ession      of 
iniquity,   and   hast   promised    for-  p:::^Si^i:::i 
giveness  to  all  those  who  confess   pardon. 
and  forsake  their  sins ;    We  come 
before  thee  in  an  humble   sense  of  our  own  un- 
worthiness,  acknov/ledging   our   manifold    trans- 
gressions of  thy  righteous  laws.* 
But,  O  gracious   Father,  who  de-       ,*  ^'''',  ^'^   f "" 

'  °  1         1         r  •  ivno  reads  make  a 

sirest  not  the  death  of  a  smner,  short  pause,  that 
look  upon  us,  we  beseech  thee,  in  every  one  may  sc- 
mercy,  and  forgive  us  all  our  'J^!^ j:f}Sl^, 
transgressions.  Make  us  deeply  of  that  day. 
sensible  of  the  great  evil  of  them  ; 
and  work  in  us  an  hearty  contrition ;  that  we 
may  obtain  forgiveness  at  thy  hands,  who  art 
ever  ready  to  receive  humble  and  penitent  sin- 
ners ;  for  the  sake  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  our 
only  Saviour  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


114  FORMS    OF    PRAYER 


AND    lest,    through     our     own 
frailty,    or     the     temptations       Prayer     for 

,  .    ,  •'  ,  ^    ,  grace     to    reforvt 

which  encompass  us,  we  be  drawn  and  grow  better. 
again  into  sin,  vouchsafe  us,  we 
beseech  thee,  the  direction  and  assistance  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit.  Reform  whatever  is  amiss  in  the 
temper  and  disposition  of  our  souls ;  that  no  un- 
clean thoughts,  unlawful  designs,  or  inordinate 
desires,  may  rest  there.  Purge  our  hearts  from 
envy,  hatred,  and  malice ;  that  we  may  never 
suffer  the  sun  to  go  down  upon  our  wrath  ;  but 
may  always  go  to  our  rest  in  peace,  charity,  and 
good-will,  v/ith  a  conscience  void  of  offence 
towards  thee,  and  towards  men  ;  that  so  we  may 
be  preserved  pure  and  blameless,  unto  the  com- 
ing of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

AND  accept,  O  Lord,  our  inter- 
cessions for  all  mankind.  ^.^^^'^  Interces- 
Let  the  light  of  thy  Gospel  shine 
upon  all  nations  ;  and  may  as  many  as  have  re- 
ceived it,  live  as  becomes  it.  Be  gracious  unto 
thy  Church  ;  and  grant  that  every  member  of  the 
same,  in  his  vocation  and  ministry,  may  serve 
thee  faithfully.  Bless  all  in  authority  over  us  ; 
and  so  rule  their  hearts  and  strengthen  their 
hands,  that  they  may  punish  wickedness  and 
vice,  and  maintain  thy  true  religion  and  virtue. 
Send  down  thy  blessings,  temporal  and  spiritual, 
upon  all  our  relations,  friends,  and  neighbours. 
Reward  all  who  have  done  us  good,  and  pardon 
all  those  who  have  done  or  wish  us  evil,  and  give 
them  repentance  and  better  minds.  Be  merciful 
to  all  who  are  in  any  trouble ;  and  do  thou,  the 
God  of  pity,  administer  to  them  according  to 
their  several  necessities  ;  for  his  sake  who  went 
about  doing  good,  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.     Axaen. 

TO  our    prayers,    O    Lord,    we 
join  our  unfeigned  thanks  for     .^^^''  Thanksgiv- 
all    thy    mercies ;    for    our    being, 
our  reason,  and  all  other  endowments  and  facul- 
ties  of    soul  and  body ;    for  our  health,   friends. 


TO    BE    USED    IN    FAMILIES.  115 


food,  and  raiment,  and  all  the  other  comforts  and 
conveniences  of  life.  Above  all,  we  adore  thy 
mercy  in  sending  thy  only  Son  into  the  world,  to 
redeem  us  from  sin  and  eternal  death,  and  in  giv- 
ing us  the  knowledge  and  sense  of  our  duty 
towards  thee.  We  bless  thee  for  thy  patience 
with  us,  notwithstanding  our  many  and  great 
provocations;  for  all  the  directions,  assistances, 
and  comforts  of  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  for  thy  con- 
tinual care  and  watchful  providence  over  us 
through  the  whole  course  of  our  lives  ;  and  par- 
ticularly for  the  mercies  and  benefits  of  the  past 
day;  beseeching  thee  to  continue  these  thy 
blessings  to  us,  and  to  give  us  grace  to  show  our 
thankfulness  in  a  sincere  obedience  to  his  laws, 
through  whose  merits  and  intercession  we  re- 
ceived them  all,  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


IN  particular,  be  beseech  thee  to 
continue    thy   gracious   protec-       Prayer     for 
tion  to  us   this  night      Defend  us    ,tlV,  S^^J^J 
from   all   dangers    and    mischiefs,  follcrwing. 
and  from   the  fear  of  them  ;    that 
we  may  enjoy  such  refreshing  sleep  as  may  fit  us 
for  the   duties    of    the   following  day.     Make    us 
ever  mindful  of  the  time  when  we  shall  lie  down 
in  the  dust  ;  and  grant  us  grace  always  to  live  in 
such  a  state  that  we  may  never  be  afraid  to  die  ; 
so    that,    living    and     dying,   we     may    be    thine, 
through    the    merits  and  satisfaction  of  thy  Son 
Christ  Jesus,  in  whose  Name  we  offer  up  these 
our  imperfect  prayers.     Amen. 

THE  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  with  us  all  evermore.     Amen. 

IT  On  Siifidays,  and  on  other  days  ivhen  it  fuay  be  convenient,  it 
luill  be  proper  to  begin  with  a  Chapter,  or  part  of  a  Chapter, 
from  the  New   Testament, 


xi6  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 

OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 

For  the  Spirit  of  Prayer. 


^  O 


ALMIGHTY  God,  from  whom  every  good 
prayer  cometh,  and  who  pourest  out  on  all 
who  desire  it,  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplica- 
tions;  deliver  us,  when  we  draw  nigh  to  thee, 
from  coldness  of  heart  and  wanderings  of  mind  ; 
that  with  steadfast  thoughts  and  kindled  affec- 
tions we  may  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,    Am.en. 

LORD,  our  God,  great,  eternal,  wonderful  in 
glory,  who  keepest  covenant  and  promises 
with  those  that  love  thee  with  their  whole  heart ; 
who  art  the  life  of  all,  the  help  of  those  that  flee 
unto  thee,  the  hope  of  those  who  cry  unto  thee  ; 
Cleanse  us  from  our  sins,  secret  and  open,  and 
from  every  thought  displeasing  to  thy  goodness, 
—  cleanse  our  bodies  and  souls,  our  hearts  and 
consciences,  that  with  a  pure  heart  and  a  clear 
soul,  with  perfect  love  and  calm  hope,  we  may 
venture  confidently  and  fearlessly  to  pray  unto 
thee.     Auxen. 


OGOD,  who  art  the  Truth,  O  God  who  art  a 
Spirit,  help  us  in  spirit  and  in  truth  to  wor- 
ship thy  great  Name  ;  not  acknowledging  thee 
in  one  place  or  at  one  time  only,  but  in  every 
place  and  at  every  time,  in  all  we  do  and  in  all  we 
see,  in  our  work  and  in  our  rest,  in  our  laughter 
and  our  tears,  in  loneliness  and  in  fellowship,  in 
the  eye  of  day  and  in  the  shadow  of  night,  be- 
neath the  open  sky  as  in  the  house  of  prayer,  in 
the  heart  of  the  little  child  as  in  the  wisdom  of 
the  man,  in  the  fulness  of  health  and  strength 
and  happiness  as  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  through  which,  O  Father  Almighty,  do 
thou  in  thy  mercy  bear  us  to  never-ending  life 
and  light  and  love.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  117 


WE  beseech  thee,  Lord,  open  thy  heavens, 
open  our  eyes  :  from  thence  may  thy  gifts 
descend  to  us  ;  from  hence  may  our  hearts  look 
back  to  thee.  May  thy  throne  be  laid  open  to  us, 
while  we  receive  the  benefits  which  we  implore  ; 
may  our  mind  be  laid  open  to  thee,  while  we  ren- 
der the  service  which  is  enjoined  to  us.  Look 
down  from  heaven,  O  Lord,  behold  and  visit 
this  vine  which  thy  right  hand  hath  planted. 
Strengthen  the  weak,  relieve  the  contrite,  con- 
firm the  strong.  Build  them  up  in  love,  cleanse 
them  with  purity,  enlighten  them  with  wisdom, 
keep  them  with  mercy.  Lord  Jesus,  Good  Shep- 
herd, who  didst  lay  down  thy  life  for  the  sheep, 
defend  the  purchase  of  thy  blood.  Feed  the 
hungry,  give  drink  to  the  thirsty,  seek  for  the 
lost,  convert  the  wandering,  bind  up  that  which 
is  broken.  Put  forth  thine  own  hand  from 
heaven,  and  touch  the  head  of  each  one  here. 
May  they  feel  the  touch  of  thy  hand,  and  receive 
the  joy  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  they  may  remain 
blessed  for  evermore.     Amen. 


H 


Sunday  Morning. 

"EAVENLY  Father,  we  commend  ourselves  ^-^^ 
to  thee  this  day.  Be  with  us,  we  beseech 
thee,  in  prayer,  to  quicken  our  devotion  ;  in 
praises,  to  heighten  our  love  and  gratitude  ;  keep 
us  from  all  wandering  thoughts ;  fill  our  memory 
with  the  words  of  thy  law,  and  enlighten  our  un- 
derstanding with  the  illumination  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Remember  in  mercy  all  who  are  hin- 
dered from  coming  to  thy  house,  or  who  are 
deprived  of  the  means  of  grace.  Bless  and 
teach  all  those  who  this  day  give  themselves  to 
the  instruction  of  the  young  or  ignorant,  and 
grant  to  us  and  thy  whole  church  that  at  length, 
with  all  thy  faithful  servants  departed,  we  may 
„^^  enter  into  that  rest  which  remaineth  for  thy  peo- 
ple.    Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


Xi8  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


In  the  Morning, 

\/  r\  GOD,  the  King  eternal,  who  dividest  the  day 
\J  from  the  darkness,  and  turnest  the  shadow 
of  death  into  the  morning  ;  Drive  far  off  from  us 
all  wrong  desires,  incline  our  hearts  to  keep  thy 
law,  and  guide  our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace, 
that  having  done  thy  will  with  cheerfulness  while 
it  was  day,  we  may,  when  the  night  cometh, 
rejoice  to  give  thee  thanks;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Aiaen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  who  alone  gavest  us  the 
breath  of  life,  and  alone  canst  keep  alive  in 
us  the  holy  desires  thou  dost  impart ;  We 
humbly  beseech  thee  to  sanctify  all  our  thoughts 
and  endeavours,  that  we  may  neither  begin  an 
action  without  a  pure  intention  nor  continue  it 
without  thy  blessing.  And  grant  that  having  the 
eyes  of  the  mind  opened  to  behold  things  invisi- 
ble and  unseen,  we  may  in  heart  be  inspired  by 
thy  wisdom,  and  in  work  be  upheld  by  thy 
strength,  and  in  the  end  be  accepted  of  thee  as 
thy  faithful  servants ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Saviour.     Amen. 


FROM  the  night  our  spirit  awaketh  unto  thee, 
O  God,  for  thy  precepts  are  a  light  unto  us. 
Teach  us,  O  God,  thy  righteousness,  thy  com- 
mandments, and  thy  judgments.  Enlighten  the 
eyes  of  our  minds,  that  we  may  sleep  not  in  sins 
unto  death.  Drive  away  all  darkness  from  our 
hearts,  vouchsafe  us  the  sun  of  righteousness. 
Guard  our  life  from  all  reproach  by  the  seal  of 
thy  Holy  Spirit.  Guide  our  steps  into  the  way  of 
peace.  Grant  us  to  behold  the  dawn  and  the  day 
with  joyfulness,  that  we  may  send  up  our  prayers 
to  thee  at  eventide.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  119 


GRANT,  Almighty  God,  that  we  may  this  day 
endeavour  to  be  that  which  thou  wouldst 
have  us  to  be,  and  to  do  that  which  thou  com- 
mandest,  listening  to  the  voice  of  thy  Spirit 
within  us,  not  leaving  one  fault  unrepented  of, 
one  spot  in  our  hearts  uncleansed,  and  sparing 
least  of  all  that  sin  with  which  it  costeth  us  most 
to  part ;  not  looking  back  but  forward,  not  cast- 
ing down  our  eyes  to  earth,  but  lifting  them  up 
to  heaven,  not  leaning  upon  mortal  man,  but 
upon  thee,  the  Rock  of  Ages,  who  standeth  fast 
forever;  loving  all  men,  doing  good  unto  all  men, 
loving  thee,  and  never  doubting  that  thou  lovest 
us,  and  wilt  make  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  those  who  trust  in  thee,  our  Lord,  our 
Father  and  our  God.     Amen. 

OGOD,  who  art  near  us  always,  we  would  V^ 
speak  with  thee  and  thank  thee  for  all  the 
good  gifts  with  which  thou  hast  filled  our  lives. 
For  blessings  all  about  our  path,  for  love  that 
makes  life  beautiful,  for  all  thoughts  that  uplift 
and  gladden  us,  for  disappointment  and  failure 
which  humble  us,  for  pain  and  distress  which 
teach  us  our  need,  but  most  of  all  for  our  hope  in 
thee  and  the  fulness  of  joy  which  thy  presence 
brings.  "  Let  us  never  doubt  that,  having  led  us 
thus  far,  thou  wilt  lead  us  to  the  end,  and  that 
thou  hast  in  store  for  us  that  perfe^ct  gladness  of 
which  we  see  some  glimpses  here.  We  all  wish 
to  serve  thee;  show  to  each  of  us  how  we  shall 
do  it  best.  Look  upon  all  of  us  who  kneel  here 
this  morning,  use  us  as  thou  wilt,  hands  to  work 
for  thee,  feet  to  run  for  thee,  lips  to  speak  of 
thee,  and  sing  for  thee,  thoughts  to  use  for  thee, 
hearts  to  love  as  thou  lovest.  Let  us  have  no 
lower  aim, Jlet  none  of  us  measure  ourselves  by 
others,  or  by  any  narrow  and  common  standard 
of  good^but  let  our  lives  beL^autiful  on  all  sides 
and  full  of  this  desire,  to  be  perfect  as  thou  art 
perfect.  "We  ask,  knowing  how  poor  and  weak 
we  are,  in  thy  strength,  and  for  the  sake  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


OTHOU  who  dwellest  in  the  light  invisible, 
and  yet  revealest  thyself  to  the  soul  that  is 
in  darkness,  Father  of  spirits,  we  praise  thee  for 
all  that  thou  art  in  thyself  to  us  unknown ;  and 
for  all  that  thou  revealest  from  day  to  day.  For 
every  creature  of  thine  that  ministers  to  us  in 
any  way  ;  for  our  parents,  teachers,  and  benefac- 
tors ;  for  the  examples  of  the  past  and  the  coun- 
sels of  the  present ;  for  the  way  by  which  thou 
art  leading  us  ;  for  thy  voice  in  our  consciences, 
thy  law  in  our  minds,  and  thy  love  revealed  in 
our  affections  ;  for  thine  infinite  mercies  to  our 
fathers  ;  and  for  thy  promises  unto  their  children, 
receive,  O  Lord,  the  humble  thanksgiving  of  our 
hearts.     Amen. 


OTHOU,    in   whom   we   live   and    move   and 
^  have  our  being,  who  art  within  our  thoughts 

and  desires,  thou  art  nearer  to  us  than  any  creat- 
ure, yet  we  cannot  by  searching  find  thee  out. 
Thou  art  farther  from  us  than  the  east  is  from 
the  west  ;  yet  thou  revealest  thyself  on  every 
side,  and  in  all  places  of  thy  dominion.  Grant 
unto  us,  who  now  feel  after  thee,  the  inward  suc- 
cour of  thy  Spirit.  Send  us  help  from  above, 
and  show  unto  us  thy  heavenly  light.  Keep  us 
from  the  folly  of  thinking  that  we  know  thee 
fully,  and  from  the  sorrow  of  imagining  that  thou 
art  too  great  to  be  known  at  all.  May  our 
thoughts  of  thee  be  just  and  true,  and  our  feel- 
ings toward  thee  full  of  reverence  and  love. 
Amen. 


LORD,  make  this  day  to  be  the  day  of  thy 
tender  mercy.  Listen  to  the  prayers  of  all 
thy  children,  be  the  Shepherd  of  the  lost,  the 
Guide  and  Light  of  unbelievers,  the  Teacher  of 
the  simple,  the  Father  of  the  fatherless,  the  Pro- 
tector of  the  oppressed,  the  Physician  of  the 
suffering,  the  Comforter  of  the  dying,  and  bring 
us  all  at  last  to  thee,  our  Refuge  and  Eternal 
Rest.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


At  Night. 

OLORD,  support  us  all  the  day  long  of  this  L-^ 
troublous  life,  until  the  shadows  lengthen 
and  the  evening  comes,  and  the  busy  world  is 
hushed,  and  the  fever  of  life  is  over,  and  our 
work  is  done.  Then  in  thy  mercy  grant  us  a  safe 
lodging,  and  a  holy  rest,  and  peace  at  the  last ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Aznen. 


THINE  is  the  day,  O  Lord,  and  thine  the 
night.  Grant  that  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
may  abide  in  our  hearts,  to  drive  av/ay  the  dark- 
ness of  v/icked  thoughts  ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


O  JESUS,  our  Master,  do  thou  meet  us  while 
we  walk  in  the  way,  and  long  to  reach  thy 
country,  so  that  following  thy  light  we  may  keep 
the  way  of  righteousness,  and  never  wander 
away  into  the  darkness  of  this  world's  night 
while  thou  who  art  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the 
Life,  art  shining  within  us.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  Father,  who  neither  slumberest  V 
nor  sleepest ;  We  humbly  pray  thee  to  watch 
over  us  this  night  with  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy 
and  over  all  who  are  near  and  dear  to  us.  Grant 
us  quiet  and  refreshing  sleep  such  as  may  fit  us 
for  the  duties  of  the  morrow.  Put  far  away  from 
us  all  worldly  cares  and  earthly  fears,  and  give 
us  holy  thoughts  of  thee,  that  we  may  repose  in 
perfect  peace  on  the  everlasting  arms  of  thy 
fatherly  love,  and  whether  we  wake  or  sleep,  may 
live  together  with  him,  who  died  and  was  buried 
and  rose  again  for  us,  thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     An2en. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


V 


I  /^  LORD  our  God,  who  alone  makest  us  to 
^  V-/  dwell  in  safety ;  Refresh  with  quiet  sleep, 
this  night,  those  who  are  wearied  with  the 
labours  of  the  day  ;  and  mercifully  protect  from 
harm  all  who  put  their  trust  in  thee ;  that  lying 
down  in  peace  to  take  our  rest,  we  may  fear  no 
evil,  but  confidently  give  ourselves  into  thy  holy 
keeping  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


GOD,  who  art  the  life  of  mortal  men,  the 
light  of  the  faithful,  the  strength  of  those 
who  labour,  and  the  repose  of  the  dead ;  We 
thank  thee  for  the  timely  blessings  of  the  day, 
and  humbly  supplicate  thy  merciful  protection 
all  this  night.  Bring  us,  we  beseech  thee,  in 
safety  to  the  morning  hour,  through  him  who 
died  for  us  and  rose  again,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


BE  present,  O  Lord,  to  our  prayers,  and  pro- 
tect us  by  day  and  night  ;  that  in  all  succes- 
sive changes  of  times  we  may  ever  be  strength- 
ened by  thine  unchangeableness  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


MAY  the  Lord  hear  us  and  bless  us;  may  he 
save  us  from  our  spiritual  enemy,  and  from 
all  that  is  evil,  and  keep  us  under  the  shadow  of 
his  wings,  this  night  and  for  evermore ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


THE    Lord  of    Peace  himself    give   us   peace 
always  by  all  means.     The  Lord  be  with  us 
all.     Amen. 


V        ^A^^  ^^^^  ^^y  ^®  down  in  peace,  and  take  our 
VV     rest,  for  it  is  thou.  Lord,  only  that  makest 
us  to  dwell  in  safety.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  123 


For  the  Family. 

MERCIFUL  Father,  bless,  we  beseech  thee,  <>'^ 
with  all  best  blessings,  both  spiritual  and 
temporal,  all  members  of  this  family,  whether 
present  or  absent.  Bestov/  upon  them,  O  Lord, 
such  measure  of  earthly  prosperity  as  may  te 
good  for  them,  and  keep  them,  if  thou  wilt,  in 
health  and  safety.  But  far  above  all  earthly 
blessings,  we  ask  thee  to  make  this  family  to  be 
a  family  fearing  thee.  "  Let  thy  fatherly  hand, 
we  beseech  thee,  ever  be  over  them ;  let  thy 
Holy  Spirit  ever  be  with  them."  Unite  them  to- 
gether in  the  bonds  of  holy  love,  and  in  the  unity 
of  thy  holy  church,  that  they  may  abide  in  thee, 
and  after  being  separated  for  a  little  while  here 
below,  may  be  again  united  in  that  kingdom 
where  they  can  be  parted  no  more  forever; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


O  ETERNAL  God,  who  alone  makest  men  to  ^ 
be  of  one  mind  in  an  house;  Help  us,  the 
members  of  this  household,  faithfully  to  fulfil  our 
duties  to  thee  and  to  each  other.  Put  far  from 
us  all  unkind  thoughts,  anger  and  evil  speaking. 
Give  us  tender  hearts,  full  of  affection  and  sym- 
pathy toward  all.  Grant  us  grace  to  feel  the 
sorrows  and  trials  of  others  as  our  own,  and  to 
bear  patiently  with  their  imperfections.  Pre- 
serve us  from  selfishness,  and  grant  that,  day  by 
day,  walking  in  love,  we  may  grow  up  into  the 
likeness  of  thy  blessed  Son,  and  be  found  ready 
to  meet  him,  and  to  enter  with  him  into  that 
place  which  he  has  gone  to  prepare  for  us  ;  for 
his  sake,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  ever,  one  God,  world  without 
end.     Amen, 


124  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


Fo7'  the  Children. 

\l  C\  J^SUS   Christ,  the  Lord  of  children,  be  near 

\J  to  all  children's  hearts  to-day.  In  their 
pleasant  play  make  them  to  remember  thy  holy 
childhood,  and  put  away  all  self-loving  thoughts 
and  ways,  all  untruthfulness  and  disobedience,  all 
angry  words  and  deeds.  Comfort  them  in  all 
their  troubles,  which  are  known  to  thee,  and  lead 
them  on  through  pure  and  faithful  lives  to  thy- 
self, thy  children's  home.     Amen. 

For  Those  We  Love. 

OTHOU  who  hast  ordered  this  wondrous 
world,  v/ho  knowest  all  things  in  earth  and 
heaven,  so  fill  our  hearts  with  trust  in  thee,  that 
by  night  and  by  day,  at  all  times  and  in  all  sea- 
sons, we,  may  without  fear  commit  those  who  are 
dear  to  us  to  thy  never-failing  love  for  this  life 
and  the  life  to  come.     Amen. 

Before  a  Journey. 

y  r\  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  fii^est  all  things 
V-/  with  thy  presence,  and  art  a  God  afar  off  as 
well  as  near  at  hand  ;  thou  didst  send  thy  angel 
to  bless  Jacob  in  his  journey,,fajid.  didst  lead  the 
children  of  Israel  through  the  Red  Sea,  making 
it-a  wall  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left 7!  Be 
pleased  to  let  thy  angel  go  out  before  me"  and 
guide  me  in  my  journey,  preserving  me  from 
dangers  of  robbers,  from  violence  of  enemies, 
■L-vv-v^,  SH«i  sudden  and  sad  accidents,  from  falls  and  er- 
rors ;  -andj^rosper  my  journey  to  thy  glory,  and 
to  all  my  innocent  purposes;  and  preserve  me 
from  all  sin,  that  I  may  return  in  peace  and  holi- 
Jie5,s,.:with  thy  favour  and  thy  blessing,  and  may 
serve  thee  in  thankfulness  and  obedience  all  the 
days  of  my  pilgrimage;  "and  at  last  bring  me  to 
thy  country,  to  the  celestial  Jerusalem,  there  to 
dwell  in  thy  House  and  to  sing  praises  to  thee 
forever.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  125 


For  Love. 

OGOD,  the  God  of  all  goodness  and  grace, 
who  art  worthy  of  a  greater  love  than  we 
can  either  give  or  understand  ;  Fill  our  hearts, 
we  beseech  thee,  with  such  love  toward  thee  ae 
juajt-cast  out  all  wrath  and  fear,  that  nothing 
may  seem  too  hard  for  us  to  do  or  suffer  in  obe- 
dience to  thee  ;  and  grant  that  by  thus  hayipg,  we 
may  become  daily  more  like  ua*o  thee  and  finally 
obtain  the  crown  of  life  which  thou  hast  prom- 
ised to  those  who  unfeignedly  love  thee  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.    Amen. 

OMOST  loving  Jesus,  pattern  of  charity,  wfee 
makest  all  the  commandments  of  the  law  to 
consist  in  love  towards  God  and  towards  man  ; 
Grant  to  us  so  to  love  thee  with  all  our  heart, 
with  all  our  mind  and  all  our  soul  and  our  neigh- 
bour for  thy  sake,  that  the  grace  of  charity  end 
iixotherly  love  may  dwell  in  us,  and  all  envy, 
harshness  and  ill-will  may  die  in  us ;  mttA  fill  our 
hearts  v/ith  ffi&Ung.s-  &i  love,  kindness  and  com- 
passion, so  that  by  constantly  rejoicing  in  the 
happiness  and  good  success  of  others,  by  sym- 
pathizing with  them  in  their  sorrows,  and  putting 
away  all  harsh  judgments  and  envious  thoughts, 
we  may  follov/  thee,  who  art  thyself  the  true  and 
perfect  Love,  and  who  livest  and  reignest  with 
the  Father  and  Holy  Ghost,  ever  one  God,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 

For  Guidance. 

OGOD,  by  whom  the  meek  are  guided  in 
judgment,  and  light  riseth  up  in  darkness 
for  the  godly;  Grant  us,  in  all  our  doubts  and 
uncertainties,  the  grace  to  ask  what  thou  wouldst 
have  us  to  do;  that  the  spirit  of  wisdom  may 
save  us  from  all  false  choices,  and  that  in  thy 
light  we  may  see  light,  and  in  thy  straight  path 
may  not  stumble  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


126  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


E  thou,  O  Lord,  our  protection,  who  art  our 
redemption ;  direct  our  minds  by  thy  gra- 
cious presence,  and  watch  over  our  paths  with 
guiding  love  ;  that  among  the  snares  which  lie 
hidden  in  this  path,  wherein  we  walk,  we  may  so 
pass  onward  with  hearts  fixed  on  thee,  that  by 
the  track  of  faith  we  may  come  to  be  where  thou 
wouldst  have  us.     Amen. 

For  Those  in  Perplexity. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  knowest  our  several 
necessities ;  Do  thou  of  thy  great  mercy 
direct  aright  those  thy  children  who  are  harassed 
by  the  manifold  perplexities  belonging  to  this 
world  of  darkness.  Guide  them  with  thy  heav- 
enly light,  and  provide  for  them  such  counsel  as 
may  best  enable  them  to  draw  near  to  thee,  that 
they  may  return  if  they  have  erred,  and  may  go 
forward  in  the  right  way  if  they  are  hesitating, 
and  may  be  received  into  thy  glory  when  their 
perseverance  has  been  manifested ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


OGOD  of  light  and  truth  and  goodness;  May 
thy  Holy  Spirit  direct  me  in  this  perplexity. 
Help  me  to  omit  nothing  in  order  to  be  rightly 
informed  in  the  matter,  and  let  me  faithfully  con- 
sider what  is  required  of  me,  that  I  may  see 
clearly  what  is  thy  will ;  and  then  strengthen  me 
to  walk  bravely  in  the  line  of  duty ;  through 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Purity. 

OGOD,  who  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold 
iniquity ;  Mercifully  grant  unto  us  such  a 
sense  of  sin  that  we  may  receive  cleansing,  and 
such  cleansing  that  we  may  be  made  pure  in 
heart,  and  may  see  thee  for  evermore  ;  through 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  127 


For  Trustfulness. 

OMOST  loving  Father,  who  wiliest  us  to  give 
thanks  for  all  things,  to  dread  nothing  but 
the  loss  of  thee  and  to  cast  all  our  care  on  thee 
^who  carest  for  us ;  Preserve  us  from  faithless 
fears  and  worldly  anxieties,  and  grant  that  no 
clouds  of  this  mortal  life  may  hide  from  us  the 
light  of  that  love  which  is  immortal,  and  which 
thou  hast  manifested  unto  us  in  thy  Son,  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Nearness  to  Christ, 

"ERCIFUL  Jesus,  who  wast  lifted  up  upon  ^^ 
the  Cross  that  thou  mightest  draw  all  men 
unto  thee  ;  Have  mercy  upon  thy  sinful  servants 
and  draw  them  closer  to  thyself  through  the 
power  of  thy  blessed  Cross.  O  dear  Redeemer, 
we  are  still  too  far  from  thee.  We  ask  thee  with 
all  our  hearts  to  draw  us  nearer.  We  would  be 
drawn  nearer  to  thee  in  faith,  learning  to  know 
better  the  precious  teaching  of  the  Cross.  We 
would  be  drawn  nearer  to  thee  in  love,  loving 
thee  better  for  thine  infinite  love  to  us.  We 
would  be  drawn  nearer  to  thee  in  likeness,  copy- 
ing the  pattern  of  thy  perfect  meekness  and 
patience.  Draw  us,  O  merciful  Saviour,  lifted  up 
from  the  earth  upon  the  Cross, — draw  us  with  the 
strong  cords  of  thy  love ;  embrace  us  with  the 
outstretched  arms  of  thy  compassion ;  and 
through  all  trials  and  temptations,  in  all  times  of 
weakness  and  of  danger,  keep  us  close  to  thee, 
and  suffer  us  not  to  go  from  thee;  for  thine  in- 
finite mercies'  sake,  who  livest  and  reignest  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 


123  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


For  Conformity  to  God's  Will. 

\/  A  LMIGHTY  Lord  of  life,  of  work  and  peace, 
ii*  Lord  of  our  wandering  wills  ;  Renew,  we  be- 
seech thee,  our  souls  by  the  inspiration  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit  with  loyalty  to'duty  and  love  for  it ; 
that  when  our  wills  have  becomd  one  with 
thine,  when  our  work  is  judged  by  thy  presence, 

,vv,#  when  this  life's  turmoil  has  brought  forth  its 
harvest  of  peace,  our  souls  may  see  thy  face  ; 
through  his  power  who  liveth  and  reigneth  I^ord 
of  death  and  Source  of  life  eternal,  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.     Am.3n. 


THY  will,  O  God,  is  the  perfection  of  justice; 
let  us  never  prescribe  to  thee  what  thou 
oughtest  to  give  us.  What  thou  doest  will,  we 
may  be  sure,  be  best  for  us ;  we  cannot  be  sure 
of  what  we  will  for  ourselves.  Hearken  not  to  the 
corrupt  desires  of  our  hearts,  but  to  the  voice  of 
thy  own  mercy,  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


FATHER  in  heaven,  we  thank  thee  for  all 
this  world  of  thy  providence,  so  fertile  in 
wonders,  so  rich  in  beauty  to  every  hungering 
sense  of  man.  We  thank  thee  for  thy  loving 
kindness  and  thy  tender  mercy,  while  thou  with 
equal  care  watchest  over  the  sparrow's  fall,  and 
boldest  all  worlds  in  thine  arms  of  never-ending 
love.  We  thank  thee  for  the  beauty  which  thou 
bringest  forth  in  every  stream  of  water,  on  every 
hill-side,  and  that  wherewith  thou  fringest  the 
paths  of  men  as  they  pass  to  their  daily  work. 
We  bless  thee  for  the  beauty  which  thou  gather- 
est  in  the  lily's  fragrant  cup,  clothing  it  with  a 
kinglier  loveliness  than  Solomon  in  all  his  glory 
could  ever  put  on.  But  we  thank  thee  still  more 
that  in  a  tenderer  and  lovelier  and  holier  way  thou 
revealest  thy  loving  kindness,  and  thy  tenderness, 
and  thy  holiness  of  heart  to  thy  children.     Thou 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  129 


hast  endowed  us  with  senses  to  receive  the  world 
of  sight  and  sound,  and  to  be  fed  and  beautified 
therewith.  Thou  hast  given  us  spiritual  powers 
which  lay  hold  of  justice,  and  truth,  and  love,  and 
faith  in  thee.  Thou  hast  fed  our  souls  with 
thyself.  Lord  what  shall  we  render  to  thee  for  the 
least  of  these  thy  mercies  ?  We  pray  thee  that 
we  may  live  as  blameless  as  the  flowers  of  the 
field  ;  that  our  lives  within  may  be  as  fragrant, 
and  without  as  fair  and  that  what  is  promise  in 
our  spring,  what  is  blossom  in  our  summer,  may, 
in  the  harvest  of  heaven,  bear  fruit  of  everlast- 
ing life.     Amen. 

WHILE  we  remember,  O  heavenly  Father, 
our  daily  duties  and  the  glorious  destina- 
tion thou  hast  appointed  for  us,  we  pray  thee 
that  with  great  and  noble  lives  we  may  serve 
thee  all  our  days.  May  there  be  in  us  such 
knowledge  of  thee,  such  reverence  for  thee 
and  such  trust  in  thee  that  v/e  shall  keep 
every  law  thou  hast  written  in  our  body  or  in  our 
soul,  and  grow  wiser  and  better,  passing  from 
the  glory  of  a  good  beginning  to  the  glory  of  a 
noble  ending,  as  we  are  led  forward  by  thy 
Spirit,  co-working  with  our  own.  Day  by  day 
may  we  proclaim  our  religion  by  our  faithful 
industry,  doing  what  should  be  done,  bearing 
what  must  be  borne,  and  at  all  times  acquit- 
ting us  like  men.  So  may  thy  kingdom  come 
and  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven. 
Amen. 

INTERCESSIONS. 

LORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  ever  livest  to 
make  intercession  for  us,  let  thy  mercy  be 
extended  to  all  those  who  have  none  upon  earth 
to  pray  for  them  in  thy  Name,  and  bring  them, 
for  thine  own  sake,  to  a  participation  of  thy  grace 
on  earth,  that  they  may  praise  thee  with  all  thy 
saints  in  thine  everlasting  glory.     Amen. 


1/ 


130  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


HAVE  compassion,  we  beseech  thee  O  Lord, 
upon  all  those,  whose  hearts  are  touched 
with  sorrow,  whose  spirits  are  troubled  or  cast 
down  within  them.  O  Lord,  remember  those  to 
whom  the  burdens  of  this  life  bring  dimness  or 
darkness  of  soul.  Send  them  help  from  above, 
and  have  mercy  upon  all  who  suffer,  in  body 
or  mind,  from  whatever  cause.  O  Lord,  have 
mercy  upon  them  continually.    Amen. 


A  General  Intercession, 

OGOD,  at  whose  word  man  goeth  forth  unto 
his  work  and  to  his  labour  until  the  evening; 
Be  merciful  to  all  whose  duties  are  difficult  or 
burdensome,  and  comfort  them  concerning  their 
toil.  [  Shield  from  bodily  accident  and  harm  the 
workrhen  at  their  work.j  Protect  the  efforts  of 
sober  and  honest  industry,  and  suffer  not  the 
hire  of  the  labourers  to  be  kept  back  by  fraud. 
Incline  the  hearts  of  employers  and  of  those 
whom  they  employ  , to  mutual  forbearance,  fair- 
ness, and  good-will.;  Give  the  spirit  of  govern- 
ance  and  of  a  sound  mind  to  all  in  places  of 
authority.  Bless  all  those  who  labour  in  works 
of  mercy  and  schools  of  good  learning.  Care  for 
all  aged  persons,  and  all  little  children,  the  sick 
and  the  afflicted,  and  those  who  travel  by  land 
or  by  sealj  Remember  all  who  by  reason  of  v/eak- 
ness  are  overtasked,  or  because  of  poverty  are 
forgotten.  CLet  the  sorrowful  sighing  of  the 
prisoners  come  before  thee,  and  according  to  the 
greatness  of  thy  power  preserve  thou  those  that 
are  appointed  to  die.  Give  ear  unto  our  prayer, 
O  merciful  and  gracious  Father,  for  the  love  of, 
thy  dear  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen, \ 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  131 


For  a  Blessing  on  the  Families  of  the  Land. 

rX  LMIGHTY  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  who 
i-^*  settest  the  solitary  in  families;  We  com- 
mend to  thy  continual  care  the  homes  in  which 
thy  people  dwell.  Put  far  from  them,  we  beseech 
thee,  every  root  of  bitterness,  the  desire  of  vain- 
glory and  the  pride  of  life.  Fill  them  with  faith, 
virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  patience,  godli- 
ness. Knit  together  in  constant  affection  those 
who,  in  holy  wedlock,  have  been  made  one  flesh  ; 
turn  the  heart  of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and 
the  heart  of  the  children  to  the  fathers^ J^and  so 
kindle  charity  among  us  all,  that  we  be  evermore 
kindly  affectioned  with  brotherly  love ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

For  Schools  or  Colleges. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  whose  U^' 
blessed  Son.  was  manifested  that  He  might 
destroy  the  poweV^f  dark^'^ss,  and  make  us  the 
children  of  light, ^and  VvhcT)  was  the  aieae  true 
Light  that  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into 
the  worldj  Lighten  our  darkness,  we  beseech 
thee,  with  the  full  and  abiding  knowledge  of  tby  'tWvx 
dear  Son  and  of  his  gospel.  Send  thy  blessing 
upon  all  sincere  efforts  to  train  the  young  in  in- 
telligence, virtue,  and  piety.  Bless  all  schools 
and  coUagec  of  sound  learning  and  Christian 
education,  and  make  them  instruments  in  thy 
hand  for  training  many  for  thy  service,  and 
for  the  good  of  their  fellow-men.  Look  with 
especial  favour  upon  the  efforts  of  thy  church  to 
establish  and  maintain  institutions  of  learning 
where  the  truths  of  the  gospel  shall  ever  be  hon- 
oured as  supreme,  the  precepts  and  ordinances  of 
thy  dear  Son  be  counted  the  beginning  of  wis- 
dom, and  all  their  members  be  taught  of  God. 
Endue  the  officers  and  teachers  with  a  right 
sense  of  their  high  stewardship,  and  with  wis- 
dom, faith,  and  zeal  patterned  after  him  who  was 


132  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


the  Teacher  come  from  God.  Stir  up  the  hearts 
of  parents  and  friends  to  understand  aright  their 
Fesponsibilities  in  reference  to  the  Christian 
training  of  those  entrusted  to  them,  and  lead 
them  to  wi&e.  and  dutiful  co-operation  in  the  en- 
couragement, endowment,  and  support  of  the 
institutions  established  by  thy  Church  and  people 
for  such  training  and  culture.  Illuminate  the 
minds,  purify  the  hearts,  and  fashion  the  lives  of 
the  students,  e»  that  they  may  go  iorth.  AmvkAe 
host,  made  ready  and  consecrated  for  large  and 
abiding  service  and  power.  Bless  everywhere 
those  who  are  striving  for  a  Christian  education 
amidst  the  hindrances  of  poverty  and  friendless- 
ness;  and  raise  up  friends,  and  strengthen  wise 
agencies,  to  cheer  their  noble  endeavour.  Pour 
out  thy  Spirit  from  on  high,  and  sanctify  all 
minds  and  hearts  for  thine  acceptable  service 
here  and  thy  blessed  kingdom  hereafter.  All 
which  we  ask  in  the  name  of  him  who  is  the 
Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life,  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


Fo7'  a  Theological  School. 

\-^  A  LMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  who  art  the 
■*^  only  source  of  light  and  life  ;  Vouchsafe,  we 
beseech  thee,  to  the  various  institutions  of  learn- 
ing in  this  place  the  rich  gifts  of  thy  good  Spirit, 
that  by  them  all,  thy  Truth  may  be  sincerely 
sought,  effectually  received  and  obediently  fol- 
lowed. Especially  upon  this  institution  of 
sacred  learning  send  down  th^y  abundance  of  ^hy 
grace  and  heavenly  benediction,  that  both  in  life 
and  doctrine  all  its  patrons,  officers,  teachers, 
and  students  may  be  true  followers  of  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  and  successful  fellow-labourers  in 
the  blessed  work  of  setting  forward  the  salva- 
tion of  all  men  ;  through  faith  in  the  same,  thy 
Son,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  to  whom,  with  thee 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  now 
and  forever.     Amen. 


OCCAvSIONAL    PRAYERS.  133 


For  Those  Who  Labour  in  the  Gospel. 

OLORD,  without  whom  our  labour  is  but 
lost,  and  with  whom  thy  little  ones  go  forth 
as  the  mighty;  We  humbly  beseech  thee  to 
prosper  all  works  in  thy  church  undertaken  ac- 
cording to  thy  holy   will    (especially ),  and 

grant  to  thy  labourers  a  pure  intention,  patient 
faith,  sufficient  success  upon  earth,  and  the 
blessedness  of  serving  thee  in  heaven  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Those  Who  Err  from  the  Faith, 

O  FATHER  of  lights,  who  art  ever  pitiful  to  ^': 
the  manifold  wanderings  of  the  children  of 
men,  and  who  hast  given  us  thy  holy  Word  to  be 
a  lantern  to  our  feet  amid  the  darkness  of  this 
world;  Have  compassion  upon  all  who,  by  deny- 
ing the  Gospel  of  thy  dear  Son,  have  been  led  far 
off  from  peace,  and  become  estranged  from 
prayer;  open  their  hearts  to  the  truth,  help  them 
to  cast  down  every  proud  thought,  and  make 
them  to  become  as  little  children  that  they  may 
be  wise,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour. 
Ajnen. 


For  Those  Who  Live  in  Sin.  " 

HAVE  mercy,  heavenly  Father,  on  all  who  are  l^ 
hardened  through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin, 
vouchsafe  them  grace  to  come  to  themselves,  the 
will  and  the  power  to  return  to  thee,  and  the  lov- 
ing welcome  of  thy  forgiveness  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


134  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


O  MERCIFUL  God,  who  wouldest  not  the 
death  of  a  sinner  but  rather  that  he  should 
be  converted  and  live  ;  We  implore  thy  mercy 
upon  such  of  our  relatives  and  friends  as  know- 
not  thee  and  upon  all  in  this  parish  who  do  not 
acknowledge  thy  ways  ;  that  thou  wilt  graciously 
move  upon  their  hearts  by  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  open 
their  eyes  to  their  true  condition  that  they  be  not 
deceived  ;  reveal  in  them  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ 
for  the  remission  of  their  sins  and  breathe  into 
their  hearts  the  most  precious  gift  of  faith  that 
they  may  confess  him  before  men,  and  finally  be 
gathered  with  the  whole  company  of  the  re- 
deemed into  thy  heavenly  kingdom  ;  through  thy 
Son,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Prisoners. 

OGOD,  who  sparest  when  we  deserve  pun- 
ishment, and  in  thy  wrath  rememberest 
mercy;  "We  humbly  beseech  thee,  of  thy  good- 
ness, to  comfort  and  succour  all  those  who  are 
under  reproach  and  misery  in  the  house  of  bond- 
age ;  correct  them  not  in  thine  anger,  neither 
chasten  them  in  thy  sore  displeasure.  Give  them 
a  right  understanding  of  themselves,  and  of  thy 
threats  and  promises ;  that  they  may  neither  cast 
away  their  confidence  in  thee,  nor  place  it  any 
where  but  in  thee.  Relieve  the  distressed,  pro- 
tect the  innocent,  and  awaken  the  guilty :  and 
forasmuch  as  thou  alone  bringest  light  out  of 
darkness,  and  good  out  of  evil,  grant  that  the 
pains  and  punishments  which  these  thy  servants 
endure,  through  their  bodily  confinement,  may 
tend  to  setting  free  their  souls  from  the  chains  of 
sin  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  135 


For  the  Deaf. 

OGOD,  our  heavenly  Father,  whose  dearly- 
beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ,  when  he  dwelt  on 
earth,  went  about  doing  good,  unstopping  the 
ears  of  the  deaf,  and  loosening  the  tongues  of 
the  dumb ;  Look  down  with  loving  eyes  upon  all 
thy  deaf  and  mute  children,  and  give  them  the 
special  blessing  of  thy  mercy  and  grace.  Let 
thy  fatherly  hand  ever  be  over  them  ;  let  thy  Holy 
Spirit  ever  be  with  them  ;  so  that  they  may  learn 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  believe  in  and  rest 
upon  him  as  the  Saviour  of  their  souls,  and  find 
in  him  that  joy  and  peace  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
alone  can  bestow.  Be  with  them,  we  beseech 
thee,  in  all  the  trials  and  duties  and  dangers  of 
this  life,  and  may  they  so  live  in  thy  fear  and  love 
here,  that  in  the  world  to  come  they  may  ever, 
with  open  ears,  and  loving  tongues,  send  forth 
thy  praise  in  thy  heavenly  kingdom.  Hear  us, 
O  Lord  God,  through  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to 
whom,  with  thee,  O  Father,  and  thee,  O  Holy 
Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  now  and  forever. 
Amen. 


For  all  Who  are  Dependent  on  the  Public  Care. 

MOST    gracious   God,  whose   tender   mercies     .-' 
are  over  all  thy  works,  and  whose  compas- 
sions fail  not ;  We  commend  to  thy  fatherly  pity 
and   protection  the  poor,  the   sick,  the   children, 
[|_the    prisoners,     dependent   on    the    public    care. 
Suffer  us  not,  in  our  prosperity,  to  trust  in  riches, 
forgetful  that  v/e  are  bidden  to  be  labourers  to-     ^ 
gether  with  thee  ;  but  give  unto  us,  and  unto  this  \  ^wiy 
whole  people,  grace  to  show  kindness  and  mercy  ^      |j 
towards  those   whom  thy  dear  Son  hath  vouch- 
safed to  call  his  brethren.     Grant  this,  O  Father, 
through   the    same    thy    Son   our    Saviour   Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


X36  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


For  all  Poor,  Homeless,  and  Neglected  Folk. 

I         1^   GOD,    Almighty  and   merciful,  who  healest 
V  \J  those  that  are  broken  in  heart,  and   turnest 

the  sadness  of  the  sorrowful  to  joy ;  Let  thy 
fatherly  goodness  be  upon  all  that  thou  hast 
made.  Especially  we  beseech  thee  to  remember 
in  pity  such  as  are  this  day  destitute,  homeless, 
or  forgotten  of  their  fellow-men.  Bless  the  con- 
gregation of  thy  poor.  Uplift  those  who  are  cast 
down,  mightily  befriend  innocent  sufferers,  and 
sanctify  to  them  the  endurance  of  their  wrongs. 
Cheer  with  hope  all  discouraged  and  unhappy 
people,  and  by  thy  heavenly  grace  preserve  from 
falling  those  whose  penury  tempteth  them  to  sin. 
Though  they  be  troubled  on  every  side,  suffer 
them  not  to  be  distressed,  though  they  be  per- 
plexed, save  them  from  despair.  Grant  this,  O 
Lord,  for  the  love  of  him,  who  for  our  sakes  be- 
came poor,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

For  Those  Who  Labour. 

v/  i^  THOU    who   hast    been    pleased   to    reveal 

V.^  thyself,  in  thy  dear  Son,  Jesus  of  Nazareth, 
as  the  Father  of  all  the  family  of  the  earth,  and 
who  hast  promised  thy  heavenly  favour  to  honest 
and  true  labour,  thyself  working  wondrously  in 
Vhim  the  Saviour  of  the  lost;  Bless  our  land, 
l^which  is  thine,  we  beseech  thee,,  and  write  the 
law  of  justice  on  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  its 
rulers  and  people.  Let  thy  fatherly  pity  and 
protection  rest  upon  the  poor,  the  sick,  the  sor- 
rowful. Relieve  those  who  suffer  under  the 
wrongs  and  cruelties  of  their  fellow-men.  [Give 
them  patience  and  sure  confidence  in  thee.  Stay 
the  injustice  that  binds  heavy  burdens  upon  the 
weak,  or  keeps  back  the  hire  of  the  labourers  by 
fraud.  Support  all  who  are  in  any  trouble. 
Heal  the  divisions  in  the  great  household  of  thy 
sons  and  daughters,  and  make  their  mutual  striv- 
ings to  cease.     Grant  the   spirit  of   equity,  fair- 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  137 


ness,  peace  and  goodwill  to  every  class  and 
nation.  Give  courage  and  wisdom  to  thy  proph- 
ets, and  clothe  thy  bishops  and  priests  with 
righteousness.  And  wilt  thou  fill  the  whole 
world  with  the  light  of  thy  truth  and  the  glory  of 
thy  kingdom,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  thy 
Son,  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Blessing  upon  Honest  Labour.^  j  ^K  OifUAa  | 


OGOD  who  hast  ordained  that  whatever  is  to 
be  desired  should  be  sought  -by^  labour,  and 
who  by  thy  blessing  bringest  honest  labour  to 
good  effect ;  Look  with  mercy  upon  our  studies 
rand  endeavoursr  Grant  us,  O  Lord,  by  thy  Holy 
■^Spirit  to  design  only  what  is  lawful  and  right ; 
enable  us  to  shun  sloth  and  negligence ;  that 
every  day  may  discharge  part  of  the  task  which 
thou  hast  allotted  us ;  and  so  further  with  thy 
help  that  labour,  which  without  thy  help  must 
be  ineffectual,  that  we  may  obtain  in  our  under- 
takings such  success  as  will  most  promote  thy 
glory,  and  the  salvation  of  our  souls,  for  the  sake 
of  Jesus  Christ  thine  only  Son,  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Every  Man  in  His  Business. 

OGOD,  who  ordereth  all  things  both  in 
heaven  and  earth ;  Grant  that  every  man 
according  to  the  business  which  he  hath  under- 
taken among  the  sons  of  men  may  know  that  he 
is  thy  servant  therein,  and  whatsoever  his  hand 
findeth  to  do  may  do  it  in  thy  service  and  to  thy 
glory;  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  our  Lord.     Amen. 


/-' 


138  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


For  Those  in  Business. 

MOST  just  and  holy  God,  who  requirest  truth 
in  the  inward  parts,  and  hast  ordained  love 
to  be  the  bond  of  society;  So  fill  us  with  truth 
and  love,  that  in  their  exercise  we  may  obtain 
that  security  of  good  which  no  devices  of  self- 
interest  can  acquire.  Pardon  the  dishonest  prac- 
tices of  our  time,  and  grant  that  we  may  deal 
•  according  to  that  truth  wherewith  we  expect  to 
be  judged,  and  exercise  that  love  wherewith  we 
hope  to  be  pardoned.  Enlighten  all  merchants 
and  tradesmen  with  the  gift  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
that  they  may  consider,  not  what  the  world 
would  sanction,  but  what  thy  law  demands. 
Prosper  with  thy  blessing  all  who  are  thus  striv- 
ing to  regulate  their  dealings  by  the  rule  of  truth 
and  love,  and  if  difficulty  compass  them  in  the 
world,  quicken  thou  within  them  such  a  desire  of 
laying  up  treasures  in  heaven,  as  may  cause 
them  with  an  entire  satisfaction  to  accept  thy 
perfect  will,  teaching  them  so  to  use  earthly 
things,  that  they  may  become  partakers  of  the 
true  riches  which  can  not  fail;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Am.eji, 

For  Daily  Bread. 

yy  /^UR  Father,  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect 
\J  gift,  who  hast  revealed  thyself  to  us  in  the 
person  of  thy  Christ ;  We  ask  thee  in  the  words 
which  he  taught  us,  that  thou  wilt  give  us  this 
day  our  daily  bread.  "We  pray  thee  bless  our 
land  and  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread ;  put  such 
wisdom  into  the  hearts  of  our  rulers  that  by  wise 
laws  the  struggle  for  subsistence  may  become 
less  terrible ;  that  poverty,  ignorance  and  crime 
may  be  overcome ;  that  the  distinctions  between 
rich  and  poor  may  be  made  less;  that  all  our 
countrymen  may  feel  themselves  to  be  one  body, 
of  which  if  one  member  suffers,  all  the  other 
members  suffer  with  it.  Hear  us  and  help  us, 
thou  All-bountiful  One,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Aiaen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  139 


For  the  Emancipation  of  Workers. 

OGOD,  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of 
heaven  and  earth,  which  do  declare  thy 
glory  and  show  forth  thy  handiwork  ;  Make  us 
thy  faithful  messengers  and  ministers,  that  we 
may  run  the  way  of  thy  commandments  and  do 
the  work  that  thou  hast  given  us  to  do,  not  with 
eye-service  as  men-pleasers,  but  in  singleness  of 
heart,  as  becometh  the  children  of  the  Highest. 
^A/'e  pray  for  the  emancipation  of  workers  every- 
where from  the  discordant  service  of  Mammon, 
and  for  the  sanctification  of  labour  in  every  call- 
ing and  handicraft;  that  so  all  things  may  be 
done  in  righteousness,  in  truth  and  in  beauty,  for 
thy  obedience  and  for  human  wealth,  in  humble 
imitation  of  him  who  is  the  Master- Workman  of 
us  all,  and  who  sometime  was  among  us  as  one 
that  serveth,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen, 

For  Over-burdened  Workers, 

OGOD,  who  givest  unto  every  man  the  work  ^^ 
of  his  calling  as  a  means  of  serving  thee  ; 
Have  mercy  upon  those  whose  outward  occupa- 
tions distract  their  minds  from  the  due  remem- 
brance of  thyself,  and  grant  that  their  neglect 
may  be  pardoned,  their  forgetfulness  remedied, 
their  desires  spiritualized,  and  their  lives  trans- 
formed so  that  they  may  not  perish  by  labouring 
for  the  world,  but  may  be  delivered  from  the 
world  by  a  diligent  reliance  upon  thy  holy  will ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Aiaen, 

For  Women  who  Work. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ  who  didst  glorify  la- 
bour by  thy  life  of  toil ;  Bless,  we  beseech 
thee,  all  Working  Girls'  Societies  organized  for 
the  establishment  and  encouragement  of  a  nobler 
and  stronger  Christian  womanhood.     Grant  to  all 


I40  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


their  members  purity  of  motive,  unselfish  zeal 
and  simplicity  of  life  and  bring  all  wage-earn- 
ers and  those  who  have  received  their  wages  in 
advance,  into  ever  closer  union  with  each  other 
and  with  thee ;  that  when  their  brief  day  of  toil 
is  over  they  may  rest  together  forever  united  in 
thy  presence,  where  is  fullness  of  joy  forever- 
more.  Grant  this,  O  Blessed  Master  of  the  har- 
vest and  the  labourer,  for  thy  Name's  sake. 
Amen. 

For  Rich  and  Poor. 

Vf^  CREATIVE  Word,  who  while  on  earth  didst 
^^  not  disdain  to  be  known  as  the  Carpenter; 
Grant  sight  to  those  blinded  by  luxury  and  deliv- 
erance to  those  bound  by  want :  that  the  rich 
may  joyfully  follow  the  simplicity  of  thy  most 
holy  life,  and  the  poor  may  obtain  the  inheritance 
of  the  meek ;  and  that  the  hearts  of  all  may  be 
set  with  one  accord  to  discover  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, through  thy  mercy,  who  for  our  sakes  didst 
become  poor  that  we  through  thy  poverty  might 
become  rich.     Amen. 


For  our  Country, 

OLORD  of  heaven  and  earth,  who  leddest 
our  fathers  forth,  making  them  to  go  from 
one  kingdom  to  another  people  ;  We  yield  thee 
hearty  thanks  for  all  that  thou  didst  for  them  and 
art  doing  for  the  land  to  which  they  came.  May 
we  always  remember  them  in  thee,  and  be  grate- 
ful to  them  through  thee.  W^e  remember  that 
their  communion  was  to  eat  their  bread  in  exile, 
their  sacrament  was  to  pour  out  their  blood  for 
others.  We  remember  them  not  only  as  valiant 
in  fight,  but  as  wise  in  council,  not  only  as  brave 
warriors  but  as  far-seeing  statesmen,  and  incor- 
ruptible patriots.  And  we  give  thee  thanks  for 
them.  We  remember  those  of  a  later  day,  who 
spared  not   their   lives   that   our  land   might   be 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  141 


one  ;  patriots  of  the  newer  time,  prophets  and 
martyrs  of  our  country's  unity.  And  we  give 
thee  thanks  for  them.  And  v/e  pray  that  we 
may  follow  their  good  examples  and  bequeath 
to  our  children  a  nation  worthy  of  such  founders 
and  preservers,  meet  to  do  thy  will,  a  kingdom 
subject  completely  to  thee  and  to  thy  Christ. 
Amen. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  in  the  former  time  v>r 
didst  lead  our  fathers  forth  into  a  wealthy 
place  ;  Give  thy  grace,  we  humbly  beseech  thee, 
to  us  their  children,  that  we  may  always  approve 
ourselves  a  people  mindful  of  thy  favour,  and 
glad  to  do  thy  will.  Bless  our  land  with  honour- 
able industry,  sound  learning,  and  pure  man- 
ners. Defend  our  liberties,  preserve  our  unity. 
Save  us  from  violence,  discord  and  confusion, 
from  pride  and  arrogancy,  and  from  every  evil 
way.  Fashion  into  one  happy  people  the  multi- 
tudes brought  hither  out  of  many  kindreds  and 
tongues.  Endue  with  the  spirit  of  wisdom  those 
whom  we  entrust  in  thy  Name  with  the  authority 
of  governance,  to  the  end  that  there  be  peace  at 
home,  and  that  we  keep  a  place  among  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth.  In  the  time  of  prosperity,  fill 
our  hearts  with  thankfulness  ;  and  in  the  day  of 
trouble,  suffer  not  our  trust  in  thee  to  fail;  all 
which  we  ask  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  in  all  ages  showed 
forth  thy  power  and  mercy  in  the  preserva- 
tion of  thy  church,  and  in  the  protection  of  all 
who  put  their  sure  trust  in  thee;  Grant  that  the 
people  of  this  land,  which  thou  hast  so  blessed, 
may  show  forth  their  thanks  and  praise  for  thy 
mercies,  by  loving  obedience  to  thy  laws; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


142  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


For  Those  in  Autho7'iiy. 

GOD  of  all  power  and  might,  the  Maker  and 
Ruler  of  men;  We  commend  our  nation  to 
the  guidance  of  thy  wisdom,  to  the  keeping  of 
thy  love.  May  the  rulers  whom  thy  people 
choose  to  serve  them,  serve  thee  in  honesty  of 
purpose  and  uprightness  of  life.  May  they 
never  forget  their  answerableness  to  the  people 
whom  they  serve  and  to  that  people's  God.  De- 
liver them  from  the  love  of  power  and  from 
motives  of  personal  gain  ;  from  considerations  of 
men  or  money  in  place  of  the  demands  of  truth 
and  justice  ;  and  from  losing  patriotism  in  parti- 
sanship. Bless  them  in  their  ministry  with  an 
ever  larger  vision  of  truth,  an  ever  deeper  sense 
of  the  demands  of  righteousness ;  that  through 
their  faithfulness  the  life  of  our  people  may  be 
guided  by  wise  policies,  and  lifted  to  higher 
ideals  and  nobler  achievements  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

LORD  of  Hosts,  who  didst  guide  our  fathers 
out  of  the  house  of  bondage,  and  through 
the  Red  Sea  of  war,  who  hast  granted  us  an  her- 
itage of  glorious  sufferings  and  the  strength  of 
chastening  trial,  appointing  us  for  the  protection 
of  the  weak,  and  giving  us  a  potent  ministry  to 
all  the  world ;  Bind  up  the  nation's  wounds  and 
make  us  whole.  Help  us  to  close  the  widening 
chasm  between  the  strong  and  weak,  the  rich  and 
poor;  to  cast  into  it  all  pride  and  prejudice, 
luxury  and  lust,  envy  and  covetousness,  the  inso- 
lence of  riches  with  the  rancor  of  poverty,  that 
we  may  fill  it  full  and  make  a  highway  for  the 
King  to  pass  over,  and  for  all  the  people  to  walk 
in  together.  And  so  may  we  establish  the  re- 
public, and  build  in  America  the  Holy  City  fore- 
told by  the  mouth  of  all  the  holy  prophets  since 
the  world  began.  We  ask  this  in  his  Name  who 
maketh  men  to  be  of  one  mind  in  a  house  and 
giveth  integrity  to  states,  who  casteth  out  devils 
and  confoundeth  the  tongues  of  foolish  counsel- 
lors, the  Desire  of  all  Nations,  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS.  143 


For  the  Uiiity  of  God's  People. 

OGOD,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
our  only  Saviour,  the  Prince  of  Peace  ;  Give 
us  grace  seriously  to  lay  to  heart  the  great  dan- 
gers we  are  in  by  our  unhappy  divisions.  Take 
away  all  hatred  and  prejudice,  and  whatsoever 
else  may  hinder  us  from  godly  union  and  con- 
cord ;  that,  as  there  is  but  one  Body,  and  one 
Spirit,  and  one  Hope  of  our  calling,  one  Lord, 
one  Faith,  one  Baptism,  one  God  and  Father  of 
us  all,  so  we  may  all  be  of  one  heart,  and  of  one 
soul,  united  in  one  holy  bond  of  truth  and  peace, 
of  faith  and  charity,  and  may  with  one  mind  and 
one  mouth  glorify  thee ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  saidst  unto  thine 
Apostles,  Peace  I  leave  with  you,  thy  peace 
I  give  unto  you;  Regard  not  our  sins  but  the  faith 
of  thy  Church,  and  grant  her  that  peace  and  unity 
which  is  according  to  thy  will,  who  livest  and 
reignest  God  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


OGOD,  who  restorest  to  the  right  way  them 
that  err,  who  gatherest  them  that  are  scat- 
tered, and  preservest  them  that  are  gathered ; 
Of  thy  tender  mercy,  we  beseech  thee,  pour  upon 
thy  Christian  people  the  grace  of  unity,  that  all 
schisms  being  healed,  thy  fiock,  united  to  the 
true  Shepherd  of  thy  Church,  may  worthily  serve 
thee  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


144  OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 


For  the  Church. 

LORD,  God,  heavenly  Father;  Pour  out, 
we  beseech  thee,  thy  Holy  Spirit  upon  thy 
faithful  people.  Keep  them  steadfast  in  thy 
grace  and  truth,  protect  and  comfort  them  in  all 
temptations,  defend  them  against  all  enemies  of 
thy  Word,  and  bestow  upon  Christ's  Church  mili- 
tant thy  saving  peace ;  through  the  same,  thy 
Son,  our  Lord,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  ever,  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY     God,     who     hast     built     thy 
V  V^  church  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles 

and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the 
chief  Corner-Stone  ;  Grant  that,  by  the  operation 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  all  Christians  may  be  so 
joined  together  in  unity  of  spirit,  and  in  the  bond 
of  peace,  that  they  may  be  an  holy  temple  ac- 
ceptable unto  thee.  And  especially  to  this  con- 
gregation present,  give  the  abundance  of  thy 
grace  ;  that  with  one  heart  they  may  desire  the- 
prosperity  of  thy  holy  Apostolic  Church,  and 
with  one  mouth  may  profess  the  faith  once  de- 
livered to  the  Saints.  Defend  them  from  the  sins 
of  heresy  and  schism,  let  not  the  foot  of  pride 
come  nigh  to  hurt  them,  nor  the  hand  of  the  un- 
godly to  cast  them  down.  And  grant  that  the 
course  of  this  world  may  be  so  peaceably  ordered 
by  thy  governance,  that  thy  Church  may  joyfully 
serve  thee  in  all  godly  quietness;  that  so  they 
may  walk  in  the  ways  of  truth  and  peace,  and  at 
last  be  numbered  with  thy  saints  in  glory  ever- 
lasting ;  through  thy  merits,  O  blessed  Jesus, 
thou  gracious  Bishop  and  Shepherd  of  our  souls, 
who  art  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


OCCASIONAL     PRAYERS.  145 


For  the  Liberty  of  the  Word. 

GRANT,  we  beseech  thee,  Almighty  God, 
unto  thy  Church,  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  the 
wisdom  which  cometh  down  from  above,  that  thy 
word,  as  becometh  it,  may  not  be  bound,  but 
have  free  course  and  be  preached  to  the  joy  and 
edifying  of  Christ's  holy  people,  that  in  steadfast 
faith  we  may  serve  thee,  and  in  the  confession  of 
thy  Name  abide  unto  the  end  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Final  Blessedness. 

ALMIGHTY  and  eternal  God,  to  whom  is 
never  any  prayer  made  without  hope  of 
mercy;  Bow  thine  ear,  we  beseech  thee,  to  our 
supplications,  and  in  the  heavenly  city  cause  us 
to  be  united  with  thy  faithful  servants,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Roj7i.  XV.  :  13. 

THE  God  of  hope  fill  us  with  all  joy  and  peace 
in   believing,  that  we   may  abound   in  hope, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


146  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


The  Noon- Day  Prayer, 

BLESSED  Saviour,  who  at  this  hour  didst 
hang  upon  the  cross,  stretching  forth  thy 
loving  arms ;  Grant  that  all  mankind  may  look 
unto  thee  and  be  saved ;  through  thy  mercies  and 
merits  who  livest  and  reignest  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  ever  one  God,  world  without 
end.     Ajnen. 


X 


For  the  Increase  of  the  Ministry. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  didst  command 
thy  disciples  to  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest 
that  he  would  send  forth  labourers  into  his  har- 
vest ;  We  beseech  thee  graciously  to  increase 
the  number  of  faithful  ministers  of  thy  \A^ord 
and  Sacraments,  and  to  send  them  forth  among 
all  nations  of  men ;  that  perishing  souls  may  be 
saved,  and  the  bounds  of  thy  blessed  kingdom  be 
enlarged.  We  ask  it,  O  merciful  Saviour,  for  the 
glory  of  thy  Name,  who  livest  and  reignest  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 


O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  in  thy  Holy 
Church  committed  to  the  hands  of  men  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation,  to  gather  together  a 
great  flock  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  to  the  eternal 
praise  of  thy  Holy  Name;  We  humbly  beseech 
thee  that  thou  wilt  put  it  in  the  hearts  of  many 
faithful  men  to  seek  this  sacred  ministry,  ap- 
pointed for  the  salvation  of  mankind ;  that  so  thy 
church  may  rejoice  in  a  due  supply  of  true  and 
faithful  pastors,  and  the  bounds  of  thy  blessed 
kingdom  may  be  enlarged ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS.  147 


nC^  For  a  Native  Ministry. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  the  Maker  of  all  man- 
kind, we  humbly  pray  that  thou  wouldest 
be  pleased  to  raise  up  in  each  country  a  zealous 
and  faithful  band  of  native  clergy,  so  that  the 
people  thereof  may  hear  in  their  own  tongue  the 
wonderful  works  of  God.  Teach  them,  O  Lord, 
and  lead  them  into  all  truth.  Give  them  bold- 
ness with  fervent  zeal  to  preach  the  Gospel  unto 
their  fellow  countrymen,  whereby  they  may  be 
brought  out  of  darkness  and  error  into  the  clear 
light  and  knowledge  of  thee  and  of  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ.  ^  Hasten,  we  beseech  thee,  the 
glorious  time,  when  the  redeemed  out  of  every 
kindred,  and  people,  and  nation  shall  join  in  the 
new  song  unto  the  Lamb  that  v/as  slain,  but  who 
now  liveth  for  evermore.  Hear  us.  Heavenly 
Father,  through  the  merits  and  mediation  of  ni*-v)A^*^<*^ 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Missionaries. 

OTHOU  Good  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  who 
wiliest  not  that  any  should  perish,  but  that 
all  men  should  be  saved,  and  come  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  truth  ;  Be  with  those  who  are  help- 
ing to  seek  thy  lost  sheep  in  the  wilderness  of 
this  sinful  world.  Let  thy  love  and  patience  be 
shown  forth  in  their  lives  and  conversation, 
thy  tenderness  and  compassion  in  their  words 
and  actions  ;  may  they  win  many  souls  for  thee, 
and  kindle  in  other  hearts  a  desire  to  devote 
themselves  to  works  of  love.  And  grant,  O 
Lord,  that  we  may  be  all  knit  together  as  living 
stones  in  the  unity  of  thy  Church,  and  be  brought 
at  last  to  thee,  in  everlasting  glory,  who  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  liveth  and  reigneth 
ever,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Axaen. 


148  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


OLORD,  who  didst  come  to  seek  and  to  save 
the  lost,  and  to  whom  all  power  is  given  in 
heaven  and  in  earth  ;  Hear,  we  beseech  thee,  the 
prayers  of  thy  Church  for  those  who,  at  thy 
command,  go  forth  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature.  Preserve  them  from  all  dangers  to 
which  they  may  be  exposed  ;  from  perils  by  land 
and  perils  by  water;  from  the  deadly  pestilence; 
from  the  violence  of  the  persecutor  ;  from  doubt 
and  impatience  ;  from  discouragement  and  dis- 
cord ;  and  from  all  the  devices  of  the  powers  of 
darkness.  And  while  they  plant  and  water,  send 
thou,  O  Lord,  the  increase  ;  gather  in  the  multi- 
tude of  the  heathen;  convert  in  Christian  lands 
such  as  neglect  so  great  salvation;  that  thy 
Name  may  be  glorified,  and  thy  Kingdom  come, 
O  gracious  Saviour  of  the  world  ;  to  whom  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  be  honour  and 
glory,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


,-^  A  LMIGHTY  God,  who,  by  thy  Son  Jesus 
^■^  -fcAi  Christ,  didst  give  commandment  to  the  holy 
Apostles  that  they  should  go  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature  ;  Grant 
to  us  whom  thou  hast  called  into  thy  Church  a 
ready  will  to  obey  thy  Word,  and  fill  us  with  a 
hearty  desire  to  make  thy  way  known  upon  earth, 
thy  saving  health  among  all  nations.  Look  with 
compassion  upon  the  heathen  that  have  not 
known  thee,  and  on  the  multitudes  in  our  own 
land  that  are  scattered  abroad  as  sheep  having 
no  shepherd.  O  heavenly  Father,  Lord  of  the 
harvest,  have  respect,  we  beseech  thee,  to  our 
prayers,  and  send  forth  labourers  into  thine  har- 
vest. Fit  and  prepare  them  by  thy  grace  for  the 
work  of  thy  ministry ;  give  them  the  spirit  of 
power,  and  of  love,  and  of  a  sound  mind ; 
strengthen  them  to  endure  hardness,  and  grant 
that  both  by  their  life  and  doctrine  they  may 
show  forth  thy  glory,  and  set  forward  the  salva- 
tion of  all  men ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS.  149 


For  Diocesan  Missions. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  whose  dear  Son,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  did  enjoin  upon  his  Apostles  to 
become  witnesses  unto  him  in  their  own  homes 
and  neighbourhoods,  and  also  unto  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth, 'and  whose  Gospel  is  for  the'| 
salvation   of    all    nf e n ;     Awaken   us    out    of    ourj 
sleep,   arouse    us  from   our  sloth,  drive  from  us) 
our  unchristian  selfishness,  and  quicken  us,  body,  ^ 
soul,  and   spirit,  to   an   increased   sympathy  and 
activity   in   the   work  of    carrying  the   Gospel   toj 
every    creature."";  Help   us,   as   disciples   of    him 
who  died  for  all,'~to  love  and  pray  and  labour  for 
all  who  either  know  not,  or  care  not  for,  the  sav- 
ing   knowledge    of    Jesus    Christ. j_(^uicken    oufj 
interest,  and  give  to  every  one  otus  a  share  in 
the    preaching  of  peace  to  them  that  are  far  off 
and  to  them  that  are  nigh.J   Especially  may  our^ 
hearts,  our  labours,  and  our   gifts   be   drawn  out 
by  the  power  of  the   Holy   Ghost   for  those  who 
are   our  kinsmen  according  to  the  flesh,  our  fel- 
low-townsmen and  the  people    of    this    Common- 
weaJth,  for  whom  in  an  especial  manner  we  are 
responsible.     Bless  all  efforts  that  are  according 
to  thy  will  to  bring  those  whom  thy  Providence 
hast  made  our   neighbours    and   brethren   to   the 
knowledge  and  acceptance  of  thy  dear  Son,  and 
into  living  union  with    the  Church  which    is  his 
Body.     Enable  thy  servants  the  bishop  and  other' 
/^    ministers,   and    especially    the    members    of    this 
^  Archdeaconry  to  perceive  and  know  what  things 
they    ought    to    do,    and    give    them    grace    and 
power   to    fulfil    the    same,'  for   the  advancement 
Tof    thy    Church    and    the    salvation    of    souls    in 
(  this    our    Diocese.      Awaken    every    heart    to    a 
living    and    stedfast    co-operation    in   the   work, 
_and]pour  out   thy   Spirit  upon  us  all,  that   every 
member  of  the  Church,  in  his  vocation  and  min- 
istry, may  truly   and   godly   serve  thee,   and    set 
forward  thy  kingdom  and  the  salvation  of  those  n^t 
around  him.     All  which  we  ask  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.     Amen. 


'^ 


150  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


J^or  Domestic  Missions. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  by  whose  heavenly  inspira- 
tion we  think  those  things  that  are  right, 
even  as  by  thy  merciful  guidance  we  perform  the 
same;  Quicken  in  the  hearts  of  thy  servants,  the 
bishops  and  other  pastors  of  thy  flock,  and  the 
people  committed  to  their  charge,  such  a  sense 
of  their  duty  to  all  who  are  ignorant,  erring  and 
uncared-for  in  this  land  as  shall  move  them  to 
sacrifice  and  service  in  their  behalf,  without  stint 
and  without  delay.  Make  us  to  see  that  souls 
are  perishing  for  lack  of  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  him  crucified,  and  since  thou  hast  en- 
trusted to  us  the  knowledge  of  thy  truth  and  the 
gifts  of  thy  bounty,  help  us  to  use  them  as  good 
stewards,  that  so  thy  Word  may  be  proclaimed 
and  thy  kingdom  enlarged, ^to  the  glory  of  thy 
Name  and  the  salvation  of  men;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Indian  Missions. 

ALMIGHTY  and  most  merciful  God,  the 
Father  of  the  friendless  and  the  Helper  of 
the  helpless  ;  Have  pity,  we  beseech  thee,  upon 
the  Indian  tribes  who  dwell  in  his  our  land. 
Send  to  them  the  light  and  comfort  of  thy  Holy 
Gospel.  Bless  all  the  means  used  to  bring  them 
to  the  knowledge  of  thy  dear  Son,  who  died  for 
the  salvation  of  all  men.  Guide  with  thy  Spirit, 
guard  with  thy  power,  sustain  with  thy  love,  all 
those  who  minister  to  them  in  spiritual  things, 
and  bear  to  them  the  tidings  of  Redemption. 
Stir  up  the  hearts  of  all  who  profess  and  call 
themselves  Christians  to  prayer  and  deeds  of 
mercy  in  behalf  of  this  perishing  race.  Give  to 
our  rulers  a  sense  of  honour,  truth  and  justice  in 
all  their  dealings  with  them,  and  fill  this  whole 
nation  with  compassion  for  this  poor  and  scat- 
tered people;    and  so  fetch  them  home,  Blesseb 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS.  151 


Lord,  to  thy  flock,  that  they  may  be  saved  and 
be  made  one  fold  under  one  Shepherd.  All 
which  we  ask  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


For  the  Jews. 

O  EVERLASTING  God,  the  God  of  Abra- 
ham, the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob;  We  beseech  thee  to  look  upon  thine  an- 
cient people  Israel,  scattered  abroad  throughout 
the  world,  and  to  visit  them  with  thy  salvation. 
Take  away  the  veil  from  their  hearts,  and  bring 
them  to  a  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  their  Mes- 
siah, their  Prince,  and  their  Saviour :  and  so 
fetch  them  home.  Blessed  Lord,  to  thy  flock, 
that  they  may  be  saved  among  the  remnant  of 
the  true  Israelites,  and  be  made  partakers  of 
everlasting  life  ;  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ, 
thy  Son,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end. 
Aiaen. 


For  Foreign  Missions.  V^ 

OHOLY  Father,  who  didst  promise  to  thy 
well-beloved  Son,  Desire  of  me  and  I  shall 
give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine  inheritance  and 
the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  for  thy  possession  ; 
Hear,  we  pray  thee,  his  prevailing  intercession 
for  the  souls  which  he  hath  purchased  with  his 
precious  blood ;  kindle  our  desires  for  the  ex- 
tension of  his  kingdom  among  men  ;  pour  upon 
us  the  spirit  of  supplication  for  the  spread  of 
the  Gospel ;  and  so  consecrate  our  lives  to  thy 
service,  that  we  may  gladly  give  ourselves  and 
our  substance  to  send  the  sound  of  the  blessed 
Gospel  into  all  lands  and  its  words  unto  the  ends 
of  the  world  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


152  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


"OST  gracious  God,  who  hast  gathered  into 
thy  Church  a  great  company  out  of  all 
nations ;  Fulfil,  we  pray  thee,  what  thou  hast 
foretold  by  thy  Holy  Prophets,  that  all  the  ends 
of  the  world  should  remember  themselves  and 
be  turned  unto  thee,  and  make  all  the  kindreds 
of  the  nations  to  worship  before  thee  ;  through 
the  only  Saviour  of  the  world,  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  who  turnest  the  shadow  of 
death  into  the  morning ;  Give  unto  thy 
Church  the  heathen  for  her  inheritance  and  the 
utmost  parts  of  the  earth  for  her  possession,  to 
the  greater  glory  of  thy  Name  ;  through  Jesus 
Christ  thy  Son,  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  be  honour  and  dominion  forever  and 
ever.     Amen. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hast  given  to  thy  dear 
Son  the  heathen  for  an  inheritance,  and  the 
utmost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession ; 
Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  the  missionary  work  of 
thy  holy  Church  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Have 
pity  upon  the  people  who  are  still  calling  upon 
gods  that  cannot  save,  and  so  touch  their  hearts 
and  waken  their  consciences  and  rule  their  wills, 
that  they  may  turn  to  thee  the  living  God,  who 
wouldest  have  all  men  to  be  saved  and  to  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Raise  up  among 
them,  we  pray  thee,  prophets  and  teachers  of 
their  own  blood,  men  full  of  wisdom  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Gather  in  the  souls  destitute  of 
help.  Set  free  the  prisoners  of  darkness.  Have 
pity  upon  the  unthankful  and  the  unholy.  For- 
give the  evil-doers  who  know  not  what  they  do  ; 
and  out  of  many  nations  and  peoples  and  kin- 
dreds and  tongues  assemble  the  congregation 
of  thy  saints.  All  of  which  we  ask  for  the  sake 
of  thy  only  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS.  153 


For  those  Living  in  Foreign  Lands, 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  hast  commanded 
us  by  thy  Apostles  to  walk  worthy  of  the 
vocation  wherewith  we  are  called,  and  as  we 
have  received  thy  gift,  so  to  minister  the  same 
one  to  another;  Grant  to  all  v/ho  are  baptized 
into  thy  Holy  Name,  and  especially  to  our  fellow- 
countrymen  who  sojourn  in  distant  lands,  that 
they  may  show  forth  thy  praises,  who  hast  called 
them  out  of  darkness  into  marvellous  light.  Pre- 
serve them,  we  beseech  thee,  from  the  sin  of 
offending  thy  little  ones  who  believe  in  thee, 
and  from  causing  thy  "Word  to  be  blasphemed 
among  the  heathen.  Make  them  as  the  salt 
of  the  earth,  and  as  a  light  in  the  world  ;  that  so, 
beholding  their  good  works,  and  v/on  by  their 
holy  lives,  multitudes  may  be  turned  to  thy 
truth,  to  glorify  thee  in  the  day  of  visitation, 
who  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  art 
one  God,  world  without  end.     Am.en. 

In  Behalf  of  all  Men. 

OGOD,  who  hast  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  lA 
of  men  for  to  dwell  on  the  face  of  the  whole 
earth,  and  didst  send  thy  blessed  Son  to  preach 
peace  to  them  that  are  far  off  and  to  them  that 
are  nigh ;  Grant  that  all  men  everywhere  may 
seek  after  thee  and  find  thee.  Bring  the  nations 
into  thy  fold,  and  add  the  heathen  to  thine  in- 
heritance. And  we  pray  thee  shortly  to  ac- 
complish the  number  of  thine  elect,  and  to  hasten 
thy  kingdom,  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


A  Prayer  for  the  Whole  Human  Race. 

O  ETERNAL  God,  the  Father  of  all  man- 
kind, in  whom  we  live  and  move  and  have 
our  being ;  Have  mercy  on  the  whole  human 
race.       Pity   their    ignorance,    their    foolishness, 


¥: 


154  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


their  weakness,  their  sin ;  sheep  wandering  on 
the  mountain  without  a  shepherd,  travellers  lost 
in  the  wilderness  without  a  guide.  Set  up  an 
ensign  for  the  nations,  O  Lord,  and  bring  them 
to  thy  glorious  rest.  Let  the  earth  be  filled  with 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover 
the  sea.  Hasten  thy  kingdom,  O  Lord,  and  bring 
in  everlasting  righteousness,  for  the  honour  of 
thy  Son,  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


A  Prayer  for  Missions, 

ALMIGHTY  God,  whose  blessed  Son  Jesus 
Christ  wrought  out  for  us  the  great  salva- 
tion and  commanded  his  disciples  to  make  known 
the  Gospel  to  all  nations  ;  We  beseech  thee  to 
awaken  thy  people  everywhere  to  a  truer  sense 
of  their  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Give  us  a  fuller  and  more  spiritual  understand- 
ing of  the  trust  committed  to  us,  of  the  needs 
of  souls  without  Christ  and  his  salvation,  and 
of  our  duty  and  privilege  to  bear  his  Gospel  to 
every  creature.  Fill  us,  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  with  a  ceaseless  desire  to  make  thy 
way  known  upon  earth,  thy  saving  health  among 
all  nations.  O  Lord  of  the  harvest,  send  forth 
labourers  into  thy  harvest.  Replenish  thy  minis- 
ters with  wisdom  and  zeal,  and  everywhere 
bless  their  ministry  of  the  Word  and  Sacraments. 
Quicken  and  guide  our  efforts  to  lead  those  of 
our  neighbours  and  of  the  people  of  our  own 
State  who  are  away  from  thee,  into  the  faith  and 
obedience  of  Christ,  and  into  living  union  with 
his  Church.  Give  wisdom  to  those  who  plan 
and  labour  for  our  Diocesan  Missions,  faith  and 
patience  to  those  engaged  in  our  several  mission 
fields,  and  unwearied  well-doing  to  the  people 
among  whom  they  minister.  Set  forward  truth, 
peace,  and  love  among  all  Christian  people. 
Pour  out  thy  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  enlarge  the 
bounds  of  thy   blessed   kingdom,   and   give   thy 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS.  155 


Son  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance,  and  the 
utmost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession. 
All  which  we  ask  through  him  who  died  for  us, 
and  now  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amsn. 


For  Patient  Faith. 

GOD,  by  whose  command  the  order  of  all  1\^f^^y, 
time  runs  its  course  ;  Forgive,  we  beseech 
thee,  the  impatience  of  our  unbelief;  make  per- 
fect that  which  is  lacking  in  our  faith  ;  and, 
while  we  tarry  thy  fulfilment  of  the  ancient 
promises,  grant  us  to  have  a  good  hope  because 
of  thy  Word;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


For  Workers  in  the  Field. 


ALMIGHTY  and  most  merciful  God,  we 
humbly  beseech  thee,  for  the  merits  of  thy 
dear  Son,  to  pour  out  thy  Holy  Spirit  upon  all 
our  missionaries  at  home  and  abroad,  and  to 
crown  their  labours  with  success  in  the  gathering 
of  souls  into  thy  kingdom,  to  the  honour  and 
praise  of  thy  glorious  Name,  who  art,  Father, 
Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  without 
end.     Am.3n. 

ALMIGHTY  and  Everlasting  God,  who  hast 
in  Christ  revealed  thy  glory  unto  all  nations  ; 
Protect  the  works  of  thy  mercy,  that  thy  Church 
may  be  spread  throughout  the  world,  and  may 
abide  with  stedfast  faith  in  the  confession  of  thy 
Name  ;   through  Jesus   Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


K^^\ 


156  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


For  Workers  at  Home. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  from  whom  all  good  things 
do  come ;  Give  thy  grace,  we  humbly  be- 
seech thee,  to  those  whom  thou  hast  intrusted 
with  riches,  that  they  as  faithful  stewards  may 
dispense  them  in  the  service  of  thy  kingdom  for 
the  increase  thereof;  to  the  honour  and  praise 
of  him  who,  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  our 
sakes  became  poor,  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Am.en. 


LORD  of  all  power  and  might,  who  rulest  in 
heaven  and  in  earth,  and  canst  turn  the  hearts 
of  men  after  the  counsel  of  thine  own  will ;  We 
humbly  pray  thee  to  awaken  in  all  the  members 
of  thy  Church  such  a  deep  sense  of  their  duty 
to  maintain  and  set  forward  the  work  of  missions, 
that  by  their  faith  and  zeal  thy  holy  Name  may 
be  glorified,  and  the  bounds  of  thy  kingdom  en- 
larged ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  only  Saviour 
and  Redeemer.     Auxen. 


LORD,  who  hast  taught  us  that  all  our 
doings  without  charity  are  nothing  worth, 
and  that  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive ;  Pour  into  the  hearts  of  all  thy  people 
that  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  and  incline 
them  to  liberal  offerings  for  the  extension  of  thy 
Church  and  the  salvation  of  mankind ;  and,  thus 
bringing  forth  the  fruit  of  good  works,  may  they 
by  thee  be  plenteously  rewarded,  and  be  made 
partakers  of  thy  heavenly  treasure  ;  through  the 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  most  blessed  Lord 
and  Saviour.    Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS.  157 


ALMIGHTY  Saviour,  who  art  ascended  to  the 
right  hand  of  the  Father,  and  hast  poured 
forth  the  manifold  gifts  of  the  Spirit  upon  thy 
Church ;  Dispose  thy  people  faithfully  to  use 
all  that  thou  givest  them  in  the  furtherance  of 
thy  kingdom ;  for  the  glory  of  thy  Name,  who 
livest  and  reignest  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


For  Blessing  on  all  Helpers. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  who  hearest  the  prayers 
of  thy  servants  for  one  another ;  Be  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  hear  us  as  we  plead  in  behalf 
of  those,  who  by  prayers,  labours  and  gifts  are 
helpers  of  our  joy  in  the  missionary  work  of  thy 
holy  Church.  Remember  them  for  good,  O  Lord 
God;  supply  all  their  wants,  temporal  and  spirit- 
ual ;  and  grant  to  them  a  plentiful  recompense. 
And,  forasmuch  as  good-will  and  love  are  need- 
ful to  the  prosperity  of  the  work,  we  beseech 
thee  to  inspire  all  thy  people  with  such  devotion 
that  they  may  cheerfully  aid  in  setting  forward 
thy  kingdom  among  men  ;  for  his  sake  who  laid 
down  his  life  for  us,  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen, 


A  Confession. 

OMOST  Merciful  Father,  we  confess  before 
thee,  that  we  have  done  little  to  forward 
thy  kingdom  in  the  world,  and  to  advance  thy 
glory.  We  would  humble  ourselves  before  thee 
for  our  past  neglects,  and  seek  for  mercy  and 
forgiveness.  Pardon  our  shortcomings.  Give 
us  greater  zeal  for  thy  glory.  Make  us  more 
ready  and  more  diligent,  by  our  prayers,  by 
our  alms,  and  by  our  examples,  to  spread  abroad 


«v'n 


158  PRAYERS    FOR    MISSIONS. 


the  knowledge  of  thy  truth,  and  to  enlarge  the 
boundaries  of  thy  kingdom.  May  the  love  of 
Christ  constrain  us,  and  may  we  do  all  to  thy 
glory ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour.    Am.  en. 


,/  A  Thanksgiving. 

\ 

fvt  •  A  LMIGHTY  God,  whose  compassions  fail 
^tx  not,  and  whose  loving  kindness  reacheth 
unto  the  world's  end;  "We  give  thee  humble 
thanks  for  all  the  great  things  thou  hast  done 
and  art  doing  for  the  children  of  men ;  for  the 
opening  of  heathen  lands  to  the  light  of  thy 
truth  ;  for  making  paths  in  the  deep  waters  and 
highways  in  the  desert ;  for  knitting  nation  to 
nation  in  the  bonds  of  fellowship ;  and  for  the 
planting  of  thy  Church  in  all  the  earth.  O  merci- 
ful Father,  in  whom  the  whole  family  is  named, 
fill  full  our  hearts  with  grateful  love  for  this  thy 
goodness,  granting  us  grace  henceforth  to  serve 
thee  better  and  more  perfectly  to  know  thee ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR     THE    SICK     AND 
DYING. 

For  a  Sick  Person, 

O  FATHER  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  com-  ^' 
fort,  our  only  help  in  time  of  need;  Look 
down  from  heaven,  we  humbly  beseech  thee, 
behold,  visit,  and  relieve  thy  sick  servant,  for 
whom  our  prayers  are  desired.  Look  upon  him. 
with  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy;  comfort  him  with 
a  sense  of  thy  goodness ;  preserve  him  from  the 
temptations  of  the  enemy7  give  him.  patience 
under  his  affliction  ;  and,  in  thy  good  time,  re- 
store him.  to  health,  and  enable  him.  to  lead  the 
residue  of  his  life  in  thy  fear,  and  to  thy  glory. 
pOr  else  give  him  grace  so  to  take  thy  visitation, 
that,  after  this  painful  life  ended,  he  may  dwell 
with  thee  in  life  everlasting  T  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     A2n.en. 

A  Prayer  for  Persons  troubled  m  initid  or  ifi 
conscience. 

O  BLESSED  Lord,  the  Father  of  mercies, 
and  the  God  of  all  comfort ;  We  beseech 
thee,  look  down  in  pity  and  compassion  upon 
this  thy  afflicted  servant.  Thou  writest  bitter 
things  against  him.^  and  makest  him  to  possess 
his  former  iniquities  ;  thy  wrath  lieth  hard  upon 
him.,  and  his  soul  is  full  of  trouble.  But,  O 
merciful  God,  who  hast  written  thy  holy  Word 
for  our  learning,  that  we,  through  patience  and 
comfort  of  thy  holy  Scriptures,  might  have  hope  ; 
give  him.  a  right  understanding  of  himself,  and 
of  thy  threats  and  promises  ;  that  he  may  neither 
cast   away   his  confidence   in   thee,    nor  place  it 


i6o  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


any  where  but  in  thee.  Give  Mm  strength 
against  all  his  temptations,  and  heal  all  his  dis- 
tempers. Break  not  the  bruised  reed,  nor  quench 
the  smoking  flax.  Shut  not  up  thy  tender 
mercies  in  displeasure ;  but  make  him  to  hear 
of  joy  and  gladness,  that  the  bones  which  thou 
hast  broken  may  rejoice.  Deliver  him  from  fear 
of  the  enemy,  and  lift  up  the  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance upon  him.,  and  give  him.  peace,  through 
the  merits  and  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Am.e]i. 

A  Prayer  which  may  be  said  by  the  Minister 
in  behalf  of  all  present  at  the  Visitation, 

OGOD,  whose  days  are  without  end,  and 
whose  mercies  cannot  be  numbered;  Make 
us,  we  beseech  thee,  deeply  sensible  of  the  short- 
ness and  uncertainty  of  human  life ;  and  let  thy 
Holy  Spirit  lead  us  through  this  vale  of  misery, 
in  holiness  and  righteousness,  all  the  days  of 
our  lives  :  that,  when  we  shall  have  served  thee 
in  our  generation,  we  may  be  gathered  unto 
our  fathers,  having  the  testimony  of  a  good 
conscience ;  in  the  communion  of  the  catholic 
Church ;  in  the  confidence  of  a  certain  faith  ; 
in  the  comfort  of  a  reasonable,  religious,  and 
holy  hope ;  in  favour  with  thee  our  God,  and 
in  perfect  charity  with  the  world.  All  which 
we  ask  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 

A  Prayer  which  7tiay  be  said  in  case  of  sudden 
surprise  and  immediate  danger. 

OMOST  gracious  Father,  we  fly  unto  thee  for 
mercy  in  behalf  of  this  thy  servant,  here 
lying  under  the  sudden  visitation  of  thine  hand. 
If  it  be  thy  will,  preserve  his  life,  that  there 
may  be  place  for  repentance ;  but  if  thou  hast 
otherwise   appointed,   let   thy   mercy   supply    to 


SICK    AND    DYING.  •  i6i 


Mm  the  want  of  the  usual  opportunity  for  the 
trimming  of  his  lamp.  Stir  up  in  him  such 
sorrow  for  sin,  and  such  fervent  love  to  thee, 
as  may  in  a  short  time  do  the  work  of  many 
days  :  that  among  the  praises  which  thy  saints 
and  holy  angels  shall  sing  to  the  honour  of  thy 
mercy  through  eternal  ages,  it  may  be  to  thy 
unspeakable  glory,  that  thou  hast  redeemed  the 
soul  of  this  thy  servant  from  eternal  death,  and 
made  him  partaker  of  the  everlasting  life,  which 
is  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


For  Patience  under  Suffering. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  whose  most  dear  Son  went 
not  up  to  joy,  but  first  he  suffered  pain,  and 
entered  not  into  glory  before  he  was  crucified ; 
Mercifully  grant  that  we,  walking  in  the  way 
of  the  Cross,  may  find  it  none  other  than  the 
way  of  life  and  peace ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Am.en. 


hi.  time  of  great  bodily  danger  or  distress. 

OGOD,  our  refuge  and  strength,  who  art  a 
very  present  help  in  trouble,  look  graciously, 
v/e  most  humbly  beseech  thee,  upon  this  thy 
servant,  and  send  222222  patience  and  comfort  in 
this  time  of  his  great  distress.  Strengthen  222221, 
O  blessed  Lord,  with  the  consolations  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  and  lay  not  more  upon  222222  than 
thou  wilt  enable  222222  to  bear,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  our  only  Mediator  and    Advocate.     ^222622. 


s 


■>?• 


162  I  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


\ 


For  Trust  i?t  God's  Guidance. 

LORI>,  by  all  thy  dealings  with  us,  whether 
of  joy  of'^pain,  of  light  or  darkness,  let  us 
be  brought  to  thee.  Let  us  value  no  treatment 
of  thy  grace  simply  because  it  makes  us  happy 
or  because  it  makes  us.  sad,  because  it  gives 
us  or  denies  us  what  we  want,  but  may  all  that 
thou  sendest  us  bring  us  to  thee,  that  knowing 
thy  perfectness,  we  may  be  sure  in  every  disap- 
pointment that  thou  art  still  loving  us;  and  in 
every  darkness  that  thou  art  still  enlightening 
us,  and  in.  every  enforced  idleness  that  thou  art 
still  using  us,  yea,  in  every  death  that  thou  art 
giving  us  life,  as  in  his  death  thou  didst  give 
life  to  thy  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


For  Faith  in  Chrisfs  Sympathy. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  for  our  sakes 
wast  made  man,  that  thou  mightest  thy- 
self take  our  infirmities  and  bear  our  sicknesses, 
and  who  on  earth  didst  feel  for  thy  suffering 
people  and  go  about  doing  good  and  healing 
all  kinds  of  sickness  and  disease  amongst  them  ; 
'VJq  pray  thee  increase  our  faith  in  thy  goodness 
and  love  towards  us  for  whom  thy  precious 
Blood  was  shed ;  that  we  may  believe  in  thy 
sympathy  with  us  in  all  our  difficulties  and  trials 
here,  and  take  them  all  to  thee,  in  humble  trust 
that  thou  wilt  remove  them  if  it  seemeth  good 
to  thee,  or  else  strengthen  us  to  bear  them  ;  for 
thy  tender  mercies'  sake,  who  livest  and  reign- 
est  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  ever 
one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


SICK    AND    DYING.'  163 


For  Healing.  ^ 

¥ 

OGOD,  who  hast  vouchsafed  to  mankind  the 
remedies  that  bring  salvation,  and  the  gifts 
of  eternal  life  ;  Preserve  to  thy  servant  the  gifts 
of  thy  power,  and  grant  that  not  only  in  his 
body,  but  also  in  his  soul,  he  may  experience  thy 
healing;    through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

OMOST  blessed  and  eternal  Jesus,  the  great 
Physician  of  our  souls,  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness arising  with  healing  in  thy  wings,  who 
disposest  every  great  and  little  accident  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  to  the  comfort  of  them  that 
love  and  serve  him ;  Be  pleased  to  bless  the 
ministry  of  thy  servant  in  order  to  mine  ease 
and  health;  direct  his  judgment,  prosper  the 
medicines,  and  dispose  the  chances  of  my  sick- 
ness fortunately,  that  I  may  feel  the  blessing 
and  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  in  the  ease  or 
prevention  of  pain,  and  the  restitution  or  pres- 
ervation of  health ;  and  being  restored  to  the 
society  of  the  living  and  to  thy  solemn  assemblies, 
I  may  praise  thee  and  thy  goodness  secretly 
among  the  faithful,  and  in  the  congregation  of 
the  redeemed  ones,  here  in  the  outer  courts  of 
the  Lord,  and  hereafter  in  thine  eternal  temple. 
Amen. 


For  Repentance. 

OGOD,  whose  mercy  is  as  great  as  our  un- 
worthiness  ;  We  implore  thee,  for  the  sake 
of  Jesus  Christ,  be  merciful  to  this  thy  servant. 
Waken  in  him  a  deep  sense  of  sin,  and  an  earnest 
repentance.  Turn  him,  O  Lord,  that  he  may  be 
turned  to  thee.  Make  him  to  see  and  to  long 
for  the  one  thing  needful.  Make  him  to  know 
the  things  that  belong  unto  his  peace.  May  he 
feel  the  awful  reality  of  death,  and  of  a  heaven 
or  hell  after  death.  Fix  in  his  mind,  O  merci- 
ful   Father,    thy    blessed    promise    to    those  that 


i64  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


truly  repent :  "  Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet, 
they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow."  Wash  away, 
we  pray  thee,  the  stains  of  his  sins,  that  they 
may  be  remembered  no  more.  Make  him  so 
truly  penitent,  that  if  it  please  thee  to  raise  him 
up  again,  he  may  lead  a  new  life,  in  thy  fear  and 
to  thy  glory ;  or  else,  so  prepare  him  against 
the  day  of  death,  that  he  may  depart  hence 
with  a  sure  trust  in  thy  blessed  Son,  and  a  peace- 
ful hope  of  the  resurrection  at  the  last  day. 
Hear  us,  O  Father,  for  the  sake  of  Him,  who 
died  to  save  us  from  eternal  death,  thy  Son, 
Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.     Amen. 

For  Strength  to  Endure. 

OTHOU  who  art  the  God  of  patience  and 
consolation ;  Strengthen  this  thy  servant  in 
the  inner  man,  that  he  may  bear  the  yoke  and 
burden  of  the  Lord  without  murmuring  or  un- 
willingness. Lord,  he  is  unable  to  stand  under 
the  Cross — unable  of  himself;  but  thou,  O  Holy 
Jesus,  v/ho  didst  feel  the  burden  of  it,  who  didst 
sink  under  it,  and  wert  pleased  to  admit  a  man 
to  bear  part  of  the  load,  when  thou  underwent- 
est  all  for  him ;  be  thou  pleased  to  help  thy 
servant  to  bear  this  load  of  pain  and  sickness, 
that  lie  may  be  strongest  when  he  is  weakest, 
and  may  be  able,  through  thee  strengthening 
him,  to  do  and  suffer  what  thou  pleasest.  Lord, 
pity  him;  Holy  Jesus,  save  and  deliver  him. 
Thou  knowest  how  often  thy  servant  hath  fallen 
through  pleasure ;  in  thy  mercy  and  pity  let  him. 
not  fall  through  pain.  Oh,  let  him.  never  offend 
thee  by  impatience  or  an  uneasy  spirit ;  but  let 
him.  pass  through  the  valley  of  tears,  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  with  safety  and  peace, 
with  a  meek  spirit,  and  a  sense  of  the  Divine 
mercies.  Grant  this.  Eternal  God,  gracious 
Father,  for  the  merits  and  intercession  of  our 
merciful  High-Priest,  who  once  suffered  for 
us,  and  for  ever  intercedes  for  us,  our  most 
gracious  and  ever-blessed  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


SICK    AND    DYING.  165 


For  the  Aged. 

OLORD  God,  who  hast  made  the  days  of 
man  as  a  span  long,  and  his  age  even  as 
nothing  in  respect  of  thee;  Grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  unto  this  thy  servant,  repentance  and  par- 
don for  all  the  transgressions  which  he  hath  com- 
mitted against  thee,  and  make  him.  to  spend 
whatever  of  Ms  life  remaineth,  in  thy  love  and 
holy  fear.  Accept,  we  beseech  thee,  Ms  prayers 
and  services,  though  they  be  imperfect  by  reason 
of  his  bodily  weakness,  and  finally,  by  the  grace 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit  so  strengthen  Mm.  that  he 
may  continue  thine  forever,  and,  in  thine  ap- 
pointed time,  be  received  into  eternal  rest  through 
the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  blessed  Mediator 
and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


THE  day  is  gone,  and  we  give  thanks,  O 
Lord.  Evening  is  at  hand  ;  make  it  bright 
unto  us.  As  the  day  has  its  evening,  so  also 
has  life.  O  Lord,  make  the  evening  of  life  bright 
unto  thy  servant.  Cast  him.  not  away  in  the 
time  of  age;  forsake  him.  not  when  iiis  strength 
faileth  Mm.  Abide  with  Mm,  Lord,  for  it  is 
toward  evening,  and  the  day  is  far  spent  of  this 
fretful  life.  Let  thy  strength  be  made  perfect 
in  his  weakness.  Day  is  fled  and  gone ;  life  too 
is  going.  Night  cometh ;  and  death  cometh 
also.  Near  as  is  the  end  of  day,  so  too  the  end 
of  life.  We  beseech  of  thee,  O  Lord,  bless  to 
thy  servant  his  closing  days.  Make  them  pure, 
and  peaceful,  and  sinless,  and  if  it  please  thee, 
painless.  Into  thy  Hands,  O  LordT'we  commend 
thy  servant,  spirit,  soul,  and  body.  Thou  didst 
make,  and  thou  didst  redeem  him..  Guard  his 
lying  down,  and  Ms  rising  up,  from  henceforth 
even  forever.  Let  Mm  remember  thee  on  his 
bed,  and  search  out  his  spirit.  Let  him.  wake 
up,  and  be  present  with  thee.  We  ask  all  in 
the  Name  of  our  only  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


i66  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


For  One  Kept  from  Church. 

vX  r\  HEAVENLY  Father,  we  pray  for  a  blessing 
\J  upon  thy  servant,  hindered  by  infirmity  from 
going  up  to  the  house  of  prayer.  Thine  Eyes 
are  in  every  place.  Thine  Ear  is  open  unto 
every  prayer  that  is  offered  in  spirit  and  in 
truth.  O  be  with  thy  servant  in  his  home,  and 
may  he  find  thy  presence  ever  near  to  him.  Thou 
hast  cut  off  from  him  the  privilege  of  worship- 
ping with  his  brethren  in  the  congregation.  Give 
him  much  joy  and  comfort  in  the  prayer  of  the 
secret  closet.  And  so  bless  and  guide  him,  O 
merciful  Father,  that,  when  the  poor,  imperfect 
worship  of  this  world  is  no  more,  he  may  join 
for  ever  in  the  glorious  and  perfect  worship  of 
the  heavenly  chorus;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Am.en. 


For  One  Shut-ift. 

OLORD  God,  who  makest  all  things  work  to- 
gether for  good,  thou  hast  been  pleased 
to  withdraw  thy  servant  from  many  occupations 
and  pleasures  which  others  enjoy;  Grant  that 
he  may  the  more  find  his  happiness  in  peaceful 
rest  and  communion  with  thee,  and  fill  iiis  heart 
with  sweet  thoughts  of  the  good  things  God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  Him,  so  that 
others  seeing  his  content  and  cheerfulness,  may 
*'  take  note  of  him.  that  he  has  been  with  Jesus  ;" 
and  thus  by  his  weakness,  the  Son  of  God  shall 
be  glorified.  Be  very  near  to  him,  O  Lord, 
through  this  life  and  bring  him  at  last  to  that 
land  where  there  shall  be  no  more  pain,  for,  the 
sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Saviour.     Axaert. 


SICK    AND    DYING.  i67 


For  One  iii  Great  Suffering. 

O  GRACIOUS  Father,  whose  dear  Son  bore 
for  us  unspeakable  agonies,  being  scourged, 
and  crowned  with  thorns,  and  nailed  to  the 
Cross;  Have  mercy  on  thy  servant  who  is  now 
in  great  suffering,  and  grant  him.  grace  to  fix  his 
eyes  upon  the  Cross,  and  therein  to  find  strength, 
truly  following  him,  who  for  the  joy  that  was 
set  before  him  endured  the  Cross;  that  know- 
ing the  fellowship  of  the  sufferings  of  thy  dear- 
ly-beloved Son,  our  Lord,  he  may  rest  in  him, 
and  at  length  enter  into  his  joy;  for  his  merits, 
who  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  liveth  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

For  One  in  Great  Sorrow. 

OHOLY  Jesus,  we  beseech  thee  to  have 
mercy  upon  this  thine  afflicted  servant. 
Thou  wast  a  man  of  sorrow  and  acquainted  with 
grief;  thou  art  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  in- 
firmities ;  thou  hast  borne  our  griefs  and  carried 
our  sorrows  ;  thou  knowest  every  pain  and  pang 
that  rends  the  heart;  thou  knowest  the  heaviness 
which  boweth  down  thy  servant's  soul:  O  thou 
whose  soul  was  once  exceeding  sorrowful  even 
unto  death,  look  down  in  mercy  upon  his  sorrow. 
Pardon  in  him.  all  faithless  thoughts  and  fears, 
and  dispel  them  by  thy  grace.  Lift  from  his 
head  the  dark  cloud  of  despair,  and  let  the  bright 
sunshine  of  thy  love  shine  round  about  him.. 
Teach  him.  to  trust  thy  word,  and  to  believe  in 
thy  promises,  and  let  him  not  be  cast  down  over- 
much by  the  anguish  of  his  own  weak  heart. 
Teach  him.  to  look  from  his  own  suffering  to  thy 
blessed  cross,  and  in  thine  own  good  time,  may 
he  there  find  healing  and  comfort  and  peace, 
knowing  that  thou  wilt  never  leave  him.  nor  for- 
sake him  until  he  enter  at  length  into  the  joy 
of  his  Lord,  and  the  perfect  peace  of  Paradise, 
there  to  dwell  with  thee,  who  liveth  and  reign- 
est  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one 
God  for  evermore.     Am.en. 


i63  i        I  PRAYERS  FOR    THE 


FT 


J^or  a  Sick  Child. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  and  merciful  Father,  to 
whom  alone  belongf  the  issues  of  life  and 
death ;  Look  down  from  heaven,  we  humbly 
beseech  thee,  with  the  eyes  of  mercy,  upon  this 
child  now  lying  upon  the  bed  of  sickness  :  Visit 
iizn,  O  Lord,  with  thy  salvation;  deliver  him.  in 
thy  good  appointed  time  from  his  bodily  pain, 
and  save  his  soul  for  thy  mercies'  sake :  that, 
if  it  shall  be  thy  pleasure  to  prolong  his  days 
here  on  earth,  he  may  live  to  thee,  and  be  an 
instrument  of  thy  glory,  by  serving  thee  faith- 
fully, and  doing  good  in  his  generation  ;  or  else 
receive  him.  into  those  heavenly  habitations, 
where  the  souls  of  those  who  sleep  in  the  Lord 
Jesus,  enjoy  perpetual  rest  and  felicity.  Grant 
this,  O  Lord,  for  thy  mercies'  sake  in  the  same 
thy  Son  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  liveth  and 
reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  ever, 
one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


OST  merciful  Saviour,  who  lovest  little 
children,  and  thyself  didst  live  as  a  little 
child  upon  the  earth  ;  We  come  to  thee  in  be- 
half of  one  whom  we  love.  Thou  art  the  Good 
Shepherd  and  carest  for  the  lambs  of  thy  flock, 
leading  them  tenderly  and  bearing  them  in  thy 
gentle  arms.  Bring  thou  this  child,  for  whom 
our  prayer  is  offered,  safely  through  the  time 
of  sickness  and  danger.  Teach  him.  to  be  meek 
and  loving  and  obedient  like  thyself.  Keep  him. 
from  all  fretfulness  and  impatience.  Let  him. 
feel  that  thou  art  ever  near.  Let  him  learn  to 
love  thee  better  and  better.  And  if  thou  art 
pleased  to  restore  him.  to  health,  make  iiiiii  to 
walk  all  his  days,  be  they  many  or  few,  in  the 
way  that  leadeth  to  eternal  life.  Hear  us,  O 
pitiful  and  loving  Lord,  who,  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  livest  and  reignest  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


/  f 

SICK    AND    DYING.     ,'        '  i6q 

J 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  |ida?t  heal  all 
manner  of  sickness  and  diseas'e  amongst 
thy  people;  Give  thy  blessing,  we  beseech  thee, 
to  the  means  now  used  for  the  healing  of  this 
thy  child;  that  he  may  be  restored  to  health, 
and  spared  to  worship  thee  in  the  courts  of  thy 
house  on  earth  ;  who,  with  the  Father  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  livest  one  God,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 


For  Parents  whose  Child  is  Sick. 

OGOD  most  merciful  and  gracious,  who  hast 
taught  us  in  thy  holy  word  to  cast  all  our  1/^ 
care  upon  thee  ;  Relieve,  we  pray  thee,  the  anxiety 
of  thy  servants  ;  and,  that  they  may  trust  them- 
selves and  their  dear  child  wholly  unto  thee,  teach 
them  ever  more  and  more  to  know  the  greatness 
of  thy  love  and  sympathy,  which  thou  hast 
revealed  to  us  in  thy  Son,  our  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


For  those  who  Care  for  the  Sick. 

MERCIFUL  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  to  y 
strengthen  and  support  thy  servants  who 
are  called  to  tend  the  sufferer  and  to  watch 
beside  the  bed  of  sickness.  Give  them  grace  to 
fulfil  their  task  with  patient  endurance  and  with 
loving  tenderness.  Comfort  them  in  their 
weariness  with  the  comfort  of  thy  blessed  spirit. 
Teach  them  how  good  and  blessed  a  thing  it 
is  to  be  permitted  to  minister  to  the  wants  of 
the  sick  and  suffering.  May  this  season  of  self- 
denying  labour  be  a  season  of  much  spiritual 
welfare  to  their  own  souls.  May  they  learn 
lessons  which  shall  be  blessed  to  themselves. 
May  they  learn  to  number  their  days,  and  to 
seek  the  things  above,  and  to  choose  the  one 
thing    needful,    while    health    and    strength    are 


•v 


170  t^RAYERS    FOR    THE 


given  to  them',;  so  that,  when  they  shall  in  their 
turn  be  called'  to  suffer  and  die,  they  may  be 
able,  with  lowly  submission  and  loving  trust, 
to  commit  themselves  into  thy  hands  to  do  with 
them  what  thou  wilt;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


A  Thanksgiving  for  the  Beginning  of  a 

Recovery, 

GREAT  and  mighty  God,  who  bringest  down 
to  the  grave,  and  bringest  up  again ;  We 
bless  thy  wonderful  goodness,  for  having  turned 
our  heaviness  into  joy  and  our  mourning  into 
gladness,  by  restoring  this  our  brother  to  some 
degree  of  his  former  health.  Blessed  be  thy  Name 
that  thou  didst  not  forsake  him  in  his  sickness  ; 
but  didst  visit  him.  with  comforts  from  above  ; 
didst  support  him.  in  patience  and  submission  to 
thy  will;  and  at  last  didst  send  him.  seasonable 
relief.  Perfect,  we  beseech  thee,  this  thy  mercy 
towards  him;  and  prosper  the  means  which 
shall  be  made  use  of  for  his  cure  :  that,  being 
restored  to  health  of  body,  vigour  of  mind,  and 
cheerfulness  of  spirit,  he  may  be  able  to  go  to 
thine  house,  to  offer  thee  an  oblation  with  great 
gladness,  and  to  bless  thy  holy  Name  for  all 
thy  goodness  towards  him.;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Saviour,  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 


A  Thanksgiving  for  a  Child's  Recovery  from 
Sickness. 

ALMIGHTY  God  and  heavenly  Father,  we 
give  thee  humble  thanks  for  that  thou  hast 
been  graciously  pleased  to  deliver  from  his 
bodily  sickness  the  child  in  whose  behalf  we  now 
desire    to    bless    and    praise    thy    Name,    in    the 


SICK    AND    DYING.  171 


presence  of  all  thy  people.  Grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  O  gracious  Father,  that  he,  through  thy 
help,  may  both  faithfully  walk  according  to  thy 
will  in  this  life  present,  and  also  may  be  partaker 
of  everlasting  glory  in  the  life  to  come;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


A  Thanksgiving  for  an  Escape  from  Special 
Peril. 

OLORD  God,  in  whose  hand  is  the  life  of 
every  thing,  and  the  breath  of  all  mankind  ; 
We  magnify  thy  goodness  in  that  thou  hast  been 
pleased  to  save  from  deadly  hurt  thy  servant, 
who  now  desireth  \_or,  for  whom  we  desire]  to 
offer  thee  the  sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanks- 
giving. Give  him  grace,  we  humbly  beseech 
thee,  worthily  to  spend  in  thy  service  the  days 
which  thou  hast  so  mercifully  prolonged,  that 
henceforth  dwelling  always  under  thy  protection 
he  may  abide  in  thy  love  unto  his  life's  end, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.     Amen. 


For  a  Recovery  fro?n  Sickness. 

OGOD,  who  art  the  giver  of  life,  of  health, 
and  of  safety  ;  We  bless  thy  Name,  that  thou 
hast  been  pleased  to  deliver  from  his  bodily  sick- 
ness this  thy  servant,  who  now  desireth  to  return 
thanks  unto  thee,  in  the  presence  of  all  thy 
people.  Gracious  art  thou,  O  Lord,  and  full  of 
compassion  to  the  children  of  men.  May  his 
heart  be  duly  impressed  with  a  sense  of  thy 
merciful  goodness,  and  may  he  devote  the  resi- 
due of  his  days  to  an  humble,  holy,  and  obedient 
walking  before  thee;  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


!^ 


172  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 

A  Prayer  for  a  Sick  Person,    when    there   ap- 
pear eth  but  small  hope  of  recovery . 

O  FATHER  of  mercies,  and  God  of  all  com- 
fort, our  only  help  in  time  of  need ;  We 
fly  unto  thee  for  succour  in  behalf  of  this  thy 
servant,  here  lying  under  thy  hand  in  great 
weakness  of  body.  Look  graciously  upon  him., 
O  Lord;  and  the  more  the  outward  man  de- 
cayeth,  strengthen  him.,  we  beseech  thee,  so 
much  the  more  continually  with  thy  grace  and 
Holy  Spirit  in  the  inner  man.  Give  him.  un- 
feigned repentance  for  all  the  errors  of  his  life 
past,  and  stedfast  faith  in  thy  Son  Jesus  ;  that 
his  sins  may  be  done  away  by  thy  mercy,  and 
his  pardon  sealed  in  heaven,  before  he  go  hence, 
and  be  no  more  seen.  We  know,  O  Lord,  that 
there  is  no  word  impossible  with  thee ;  and 
that,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  even  yet  raise  him. 
up,  and  grant  him.  a  longer  continuance  amongst 
us;  yet,  forasmuch  as  in  all  appearance  the 
time  of  his  dissolution  draweth  near,  so  fit  and 
prepare  him,  we  beseech  thee,  against  the  hour 
of  death,  that  after  Ais  departure  hence  in  peace, 
and  in  thy  favour,  his  soul  may  be  received  into 
thine  everlasting  kingdom ;  through  the  merits 
and  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ  thine  only  Son, 
our  Lord  and  Saviour.     Amen. 


A   Commendatory  Prayer  for  a  Sick  Person  at 
the  point  of  departure. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  with  whom  do  live  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  after  they 
are  delivered  from  their  earthly  prisons ;  We 
humbly  commend  the  soul  of  this  thy  servant, 
our  dear  brother,  into  thy  hands,  as  into  the 
hands  of  a  faithful  Creator,  and  most  merciful 
Saviour;  most  humbly  beseeching  thee,  that  it 
may    be    precious    in   thy    sight.       Wash,  it  we 


SICK    AHD    DYING.   '"  173 


pray  thee,  in  the  blood  Jf  that  immaculate  Lamb, 
that  was  slain  to  take  away  the  sins  of  the 
world;  that  whatsoever  defilements  it  may  have 
contracted  in  the  midst  of  this  miserable  and 
naughty  world,  through  the  lusts  of  the  flesh, 
or  the  wiles  of  Satan,  being  purged  and  done 
away,  it  may  be  presented  pure  and  without 
spot  before  thee;  through  the  merits  of  Jesus 
Christ  thine  only  Son  our  Lord.     Amen. 

For  the  Dying. 

O  ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  in  whose 
hands  are  the  issues  of  life,  and  whose  in- 
finite wisdom  ordereth  all  things  for  the  best 
to  them  that  love  thee  ;  Look  down  with  Fatherly 
eye  on  thy  child  whom  thou  hast  touched  with 
thine  hand.  Support  hira  by  thy  grace,  confirm 
his  faith,  increase  his  hope,  and  perfect  Ai-?love. 
Strengthen  him  with  thy  spirit  in  the  inner  man 
that  Christ  may  dwell  in  Ais  heart  through  faith. 
Make  him  to  know  the  love  of  Christ  that 
passeth  knowledge.  And  when  it  shall  please 
thee  to  call  him  to  thyself,  carry  him  safely 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death 
through  which  our  loving  Saviour  hath  passed 
before  us.  And  finally  receive  him.  into  those 
heavenly  mansions  which  the  same  Lord  has 
gone  to  prepare;  where  no  fear  shall  trouble  him, 
no  pain  distress  him,  no  anxiety  disturb  him.,  no 
infirmity  affiict  221722;  where  perfect  security, 
pure  delight,  and  unceasing  joy  await  all  who 
truly  love  thee,  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Am.en. 

HAVE  mercy  on  thy  servant,  O  Lord.  Into 
thy  hands  we  commend  his  spirit,  for  thou 
hast  redeemed  it,  O  Lord,  thou  God  of  truth. 
O  be  with  him.  in  this  hour  of  need.  Leave  him. 
not,  neither  forsake  72^222.  Support  222222  in  thine 
everlasting  arms.  Guide  722222  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death.  Bring  i22.sr  soul  out  of 
prison,  that  it  may  praise  thee.       Say    unto    his 


174  PRAYERS    1  OR    THE 


soul,  "  I  am  thy  salvation.'f^  Say  unto  him,  "  To- 
day thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Paradise."  Let 
him  know  the  salvation  of  Jesus.  Let  him  see 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the 
living.  O  Lord,  bid  him.  come  to  thee.  Lord 
Jesus  receive  his  spirit,  and  open  to  him  the 
gates  of  everlasting  glory.  Let  thy  loving  spirit 
lead  him.  forth  into  the  land  of  righteousness. 
Send  thine  angel  to  carry  him  to  the  abode  of 
peace.  In  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  day  of 
judgment,  Good  Lord,  deliver  him.     Amen. 


GOD,  our  heavenly  Father,  we  remember 
before  thee  tonight,  those  thy  children  who 
are  journeying  in  great  bodily  weakness,  and 
drawing  near  unto  the  gates  of  death.  We  pray 
thee  that  thou  wilt  send  thy  dear  Son  to  meet 
with  them  in  the  way,  and  to  abide  with  them, 
for  the  day  is  far  spent;  that  he  may  break  with 
them  the  bread  of  eternal  life ;  that  he  may  look 
upon  them  with  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy,  and  com- 
fort them  with  a  sense  of  thy  goodness.  And 
fill  the  hearts  of  all  of  us,  we  pray  thee,  with 
such  trust  in  thee,  that  by  night  and  by  day, 
at  all  times  and  in  all  seasons,  we  may  without 
fear  commit  those  who  are  dear  to  us  to  thy 
never-failing  love,  for  this  life  and  the  life  to 
come.  Through  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son,  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

A/  TNTO  thy  merciful  hands,  O  heavenly  Father, 
^^  X  we  commend  the  soul  of  thy  servant  now  de- 
parting from  the  body.  Acknowledge,  we  meekly 
beseech  thee,  a  sheep  of  thine  own  fold,  a 
lamb  of  thine  own  flock,  a  sinner  of  thine  own 
redeeming.  Receive  liim  into  the  arms  of  thy 
mercy,  into  the  blessed  rest  of  everlasting  peace, 
into  the  glorious  estate  of  thy  chosen  saints  in 
heaven.  O  m.ost  merciful  Father,  that  cannot 
perish  which  is  committed  to  thy  charge.  Re- 
ceive, we  beseech  thee,  his  spirit  in  peace. 
Amen. 


AFFLICTED.  175 


For  a  Dying  Child. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  didst  take  little  l^ 
children  in  thine  arms  and  bless  them  ; 
Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  this  child  ;  take  him.  into 
the  arms  of  thine  everlasting  mercy.  Keep  him. 
from  all  evil,  and  bring  him.  into  the  company  of 
those  who  ever  behold  the  face  of  thy  Father 
which  is  in  heaven,  with  whom,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit  thou  livest  and  reignest  ever,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 


PRAYERS    FOR    THOSE    IN 
AFFLICTION. 


M 


'OST  merciful  Father,  who  hast  been  pleased  j^ 
.  to  take  unto  thyself  the  soul  of  this  thy 
servant  [oi'this  child];  Grant  to  us  who  are  still 
in  our  pilgrimage,  and  who  walk  as  yet  by  faith, 
that  having  served  thee  with  constancy  on  earth, 
we  may  be  joined  hereafter  with  thy  blessed 
saints  in  glory  everlasting  ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  who  by  thy  death  didst  :^ 
take  away  the  sting  of  death ;  Grant  unto 
us  thy  servants  so  to  follow  in  faith  where  thou 
hast  led  the  way,  that  we  may  at  length  fall 
asleep  peacefully  in  thee,  and  awake  up  after  thy 
likeness ;  through  thy  mercy,  who  livest  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 

ALMIGHTY  and  everliving  God,  we  yield 
unto  thee  most  high  praise  and  hearty 
thanks,  for  the  wonderful  grace  and  virtue  de- 
clared in  all  thy  saints,  who  have  been  the 
choice  vessels  of  thy  grace,  and  the  lights  of 
the  world  in  their  several  generations  ;  most 
humbly    beseeching  thee  to  give  us  grace  so  to 


176  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


follow  the  example  of  their  stedfastness  in  thy 
faith,  and  obedience  to  thy  holy  commandments, 
that  at  the  day  of  the  general  Resurrection,  we, 
with  all  those  who  are  of  the  mystical  body  of 
thy  Son,  may  be  set  on  his  right  hand,  and  hear 
that  his  most  joyful  voice :  Come,  ye  blessed 
of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Grant 
this,  O  Father,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  our  only 
Mediator  and  Advocate.     Amen. 


O  LOVING  Jesus,  who  didst  take  little  chil- 
dren unto  thine  arms  to  bless  them ;  We 
believe  that  thou  hast  received  the  child  now 
hidden  from  our  sight.  Thou  lovedst  him.  better 
than  we  loved  him..  Thou  knewest  what  was 
best  for  him  better  than  we  knew,  Thou  wiliest, 
in  thy  love,  that  he  should  be  with  thee  where 
thou  art.  We  ask  thee,  O  our  Saviour,  to  have 
mercy  on  us  who  remain.  Make  all  thy  chil- 
dren to  know  how  short  and  uncertain  their  time 
is.  May  they  learn  to  love  thee  in  obedience 
and  innocence,  that  so,  when  thou  callest  them 
away,  their  eyes  may  see  the  King  in  his  beauty, 
and  their  voices  join  in  the  songs  of  those  who 
praise  thee  day  and  night  in  thy  temple.  And 
unto  thee,  O  blessed  Lord  Jesus,  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  shall  be  glory  forever  and 
ever.     Amen. 


O  MERCIFUL  God  and  heavenly  Father,  of 
whose  kingdom  in  heaven  little  children  are 
members,  and  into  which  no  one  can  enter  who 
becomes  not  as  a  little  child  ;  W^e  humbly  implore 
thy  mercy  in  behalf  of  these  afflicted  parents. 
Bind  up,  we  pray  thee,  their  broken  hearts,  en- 
able them  to  say,  in  perfect  resignation,  "  not 
my  will  but  thine  be  done  ;"  comfort  them  with 
the  blessed  assurance  that  it  is  well  with  their 
child,  now  delivered  from  the  trials  and  sorrows 


AFFLICTED.  177 


of  this  mortal  life,  and  at  rest  and  peace  in  the 
Paradise  of  God.  And  prepare  them,  we  pray 
thee,  for  their  happy  reunion  with  all  the  faith- 
ful departed  in  thy  eternal  and  everlasting  glory; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


O  MERCIFUL  God,  and  heavenly  Father, 
who  hast  taught  us  in  thy  holy  Word  that 
thou  dost  not  willingly  afflict  or  grieve  the  chil- 
dren of  men  ;  Look  with  pity,  we  beseech  thee, 
upon  the  sorrows  of  thy  ssrvant,  for  whom  our 
prayers  are  desired.  In  thy  wisdom  thou  hast 
seen  fit  to  visit  him  with  trouble,  and  to  bring 
distress  upon  him.  Remember  him,  O  Lord,  in 
mercy;  sanctify  thy  fatherly  correction  to  him; 
endue  his  soul  with  patience  under  his  affliction, 
and  with  resignation  to  thy  blessed  will  ;  comfort 
him.  with  a  sense  of  thy  goodness ;  lift  up  thy 
countenance  upon  him,  and  give  him.  peace ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  art  found  of  those 
who  seek  thee  in  loneliness,  and  whose  por- 
tion is  sufficient  for  the  sorrowful  soul ;  Pour 
out,  we  pray  thee,  thy  blessing  upon  these  thy 
servants  bereaved  and  afflicted.  Thou  only 
canst  keep  their  feet  from  falling  and  their  eyes 
from  tears.  Let  not  thy  grace  of  patience  fail 
them,  nor  thy  love  forsake  them;  but  do  thou  so 
chasten,  comfort,  and  sustain  their  hearts  that 
in  the  country  of  peace  and  rest  they  may  find, 
when  the  end  cometh,  an  everlasting  home. 
Grant  this,  we  beseech  thee,  for  his  sake  who 
hath  gone  thither  that  he  may  prepare  a  place 
for  us,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


178  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


U^  INTERNAL  and  unchangeable  God,  in   whom 

J-=^  alone  we  find  rest  for  our  weariness  and 
comfort  for  our  sorrow,  and  from  whom  alone 
Cometh  all  true  joy;  Keep  our  hearts,  we  beseech 
thee,  ever  fixed  on  thee  through  life  and  death, 
waiting  patiently  for  that  glorious  day  when  we 
shall  rejoice  in  the  fulness  of  thy  love  for  ever- 
more ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


vV  A  LMIGHTY  God,  who  in  the  time  of  our 
^A-  shadow^and  darkness  canst  be  our  only  true 
and  .lasting,light ;  Look  upon  us  thy  sad  children 
with  thy  constant  mercy,  and  give  unto  us  the 
spirit  of  understanding  promised  by  thy  dear 
Son.  W^hen  our  eyes  no  longer  behold  what  we 
have  loved,  and  when  we  listen  for  the  footsteps 
of  those  who  have  gone  out  of  our  sight,  and 
hear  them  not,  what  can  we  do  but  turn  to  thee  ? 
And  when  our  hearts  fail  us,  and  we  sigh  for 
that  which  cannot  be,  and  no  traveller  comes 
back  from  that  far  country,  and  there  are  none 
to  comfort  us,  make  us  to  trust  in  thee.  Then 
comfort  our  souls  with  the  words  of  thy  Son, 
"  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go, 
I  will  come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself; 
that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also."  Give 
us  this  comfort  of  Christ  through  the  spirit  of 
truth,  in  which  grant  us  all  to  abide  for  evermore  ; 
through  Jesus  our  Lord.     Amen. 


COMFORT  us,  we  beseech  thee,  gracious  God, 
whensoever  we  are  cast  down  and  faint  of 
heart  amidst  the  sorrows  and  difficulties  of  the 
world.  And  grant  that  by  the  energy  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit  we  may  be  enabled  to  go  on  our  way 
rejoicing,  and  may  at  length  appear  before  thee 
in  the  city  where  the  vision  of  thy  peace  is 
manifested  ;  through  thy  Son,  our  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


AFFLICTED.  179 


MOST  Mighty,  most  Merciful  Father,  look 
down  in  thy  infinite  pity  upon  these  bereaved 
ones,  smitten  to  the  dust,  and  overwhelmed  with 
the  greatness  and  suddenness  of  this  sorrow. 
Help  them  to  bear  the  burden  of  this  grief.  Help 
them  to  believe  that  thou  lovest  them-  ^  Let 
thy  love  shine  graciously  upon  them  in  this  dark 
day.  Grant  unto  them  thy  blessing  of  j«signa- 
tion^-aiid  trust  in  thee.  Support — and  comfort 
them  with  thy  Holy  Spirit.  And  enable  them  so 
to  do  and  to  bear  thy  holy  will,  that  after  all  the 
changes  and  trials  of  this  mortal  life  they  may, 
in  thy  Paradise,  be  united  again  with  loved  ones 
gone  before ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


OHOLY  Jesus,  we  fall  down  before  thee,  and 
beseech  thee  to  have  mercy  upon  thine 
afflicted  servant.  Lift  from  him,  if  it  might  be, 
the  heavy  burden  of  his  affliction.  Thou  wast 
"despised  and  rejected  of  men,  a  Man  of  sor- 
rows, and  acquainted  with  grief."  Thou  hast 
"borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows." 
"  We  have  not  an  High-Priest  which  cannot  be 
touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities." 
Thou  knowest  every  pain  and  pang  that  rends 
the  heart.  Thou  knowest  the  heaviness  which 
boweth  down  thy  servant's  soul.  O  thou,  whose 
soul  was  "  exceeding  sorrowful,  even  unto 
death,"  look  in  mercy  upon  his  great  sorrov/. 
Pardon  in  him  all  faithless  thoughts  and  fears, 
and  dispel  them  by  thy  grace.  Lift  from  above 
his  head  the  dark  cloud  of  despair,  and  let  the 
bright  sunshine  of  thy  love  shine  round  about 
him.  Teach  him  to  trust  thy  word,  and  to  be- 
lieve in  thy  promises,  and  let  him  not  be  cast 
down  overmuch  by  the  feelings  of  his  own  weak 
and  sinful  heart.  Teach  him  to  look  from  his 
own  wounds  to  thy  blessed  Cross,  and  may  he 
find  healing,  and  comfort  and  peace,  as  and  when 
thou  seest  fit.     May  he  remember  that  it  is  not 


l8o  PRAYERS    FOR    THE 


bis  own.  feelings,  but  thy  promises,  which  are 
the  pledge  of  everlasting  salvation.  And,  if  he 
may  not  know  here  joy  and  peace  in  believing, 
may  he  nevertheless  enter  at  length  into  the  joy 
of  his  Lord,  and  the  perfect  peace  of  Paradise  ; 
there  to  dwell  with  thee,  who  livest  and  reign- 
est,  with  the  Father  and  Holy  Spirit,  one  God 
evermore.     Amen. 


GOD,  merciful  Father,  even  as  Jesus  Christ 
our  L,ord  endured  the  Cross  with  joy  be- 
cause it  was  thy  blessed  will,  so  give  us  thy  help 
in  bearing  the  trouble  which  thou  sendest  upon 
us,  that  we  may  find  in  it  how  we  may  serve  thee. 
Deliver  us  from  rebellion  at  what  is  of  thine 
appointment,  from  repining  at  our  lot,  and  from 
a  spirit  of  bitterness.  Show  us  the  service  thou 
wouldest  have  us  do  for  thee,  and  help  us  in 
the  joy  of  that  service  to  lose  all  trouble  of  spirit. 
Or,  if  it  shall  be  thy  will  that  we  shall  still  dwell 
in  darkness,  help  us  ever  in  the  darkness  to  re- 
joice, knowing  that  thine  ear  is  ever  open  to 
the  cry  of  thy  children,  and  that  nothing  can 
separate  us  from  thy  love  and  care.  Grant  this 
for  the  sake  of  that  love  which  thou  hast  revealed 
in  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


MOST  merciful  Lord,  who  healest  the  in- 
ward man  by  outward  afflictions,  and  by 
troubles  in  this  world  dost  prepare  us  for  eternal 
joys  in  the  world  to  come  ;  By  that  cup  of  sorrow 
which  thou  didst  drink  for  us,  and  by  that  weary 
path  which  thou  didst  tread,  grant  that  we  may 
willingly  drink  of  thy  cup,  and  cheerfully  follow 
thee  along  the  road  where  thou  hast  gone  before ; 
v/ho  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  now 
reignest  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


AFFLICTED.  i8i 


ALMIGHTY  God,  to  whom  is  never  any  prayer 
made  without  hope  of  mercy  and  who  layest 
on  us  no  greater  burden  than  thy  grace  can  en- 
able us  to  bear ;  Mercifully  uphold  these  thy 
servants  in  their  day  of  sorrow.  Give  them  that 
holy  calmness  which  comes  of  owning  thy  hand 
in  whatever  befalls,  and  patience  in  the  faith 
that  thou  doest  all  things  well.  From  unwilling- 
ness to  listen  to  thy  fatherly  voice ;  from  hard- 
ness of  heart  under  thy  chastening ;  from  use- 
less wanderings  after  deliverers  that  cannot  save, 
and  from  the  sorrow  of  those  who  are  without 
hope,  deliver  and  save  them,  O  Lord  our  God. 
"We  ask  it  in  the  name  of  him  who  livest  and 
was  dead  and  behold  he  is  alive  forevermore, 
thy  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


OHOLY  Father,  whose  blessed  Son  in  his 
love  to  little  children  said,  "  Suffer  little  chil- 
dren to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  " 
We  thank  thee  for  this  merciful  assurance  of  thy 
love ;  and  we  praise  thy  holy  Name  that  thou 
hast  been  pleased  to  take  unto  thyself  the  soul 
of  this  thy  child,  who  is  now  taken  from  our 
sight.  As  he  was  made  a  member  of  thy  suffer- 
ing kingdom  here  on  earth,  so  we  humbly  be- 
lieve thou  hast  made  him  a  member  of  thy 
glorious  kingdom  now  in  Paradise.  Help  us 
firmly  to  believe  in  thy  wisdom  and  thy  good- 
ness. May  we  remember  that  he  whom  we  love 
is  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come,  and  is  safe 
for  ever.  "We  also  ask  thee,  O  Father,  to  make 
us  as  little  children,  in  humility  and  innocence, 
that  so  we,  through  thy  grace,  may  be  fit  for  thy 
kingdom,  both  here  in  this  world,  and  hereafter 
in  heaven ;  through  thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


\/ 


J^EADINGS 
FROM    THE    BIBLE. 


READINGS    FROM  THE    BIBLE. 


HAVE  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to 
thy  lovingkindness  : 

According  unto  the  multitude  of  thy  tender 
mercies   blot  out   my  transgressions. 

Wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity, 

And  cleanse   me    from    my  sin. 

For  I    acknowledge  my  transgressions  : 

And  my   sin   is    ever  before   me. 

Against    thee,   thee    only,    have    I    sinned. 

And    done   this   evil  in   thy   sight : 

That  thou  mightest  be  justified  when  thou 
speakest. 

And  be  clear  when  thou   judgest. 

Behold,   I  was  shapen  in  iniquity  ; 

And  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  m.e. 

Behold,  thou   desirest  truth  in  the  inward  parts  : 

And  in  the  hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me  to 
know  wisdom. 

Purge  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean : 

Wash  me,   and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow. 

Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness  ; 

That  the  bones  which  thou  hast  Ijroken  may 
rejoice. 

Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins. 

And  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities. 

Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,   O  God  ; 

And  renew  a  right   spirit  within  me. 

Cast  me  not  av/ay  from  thy  presence  ; 

And  take  not  thy  holy  spirit  from  me. 

Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation  ; 

And  uphold  me  with  thy  free  spirit. 

Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy   ways  ; 

And   sinners    shall   be   converted   unto  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  bloodguiltiness,  O  God,  thou 
God  of  my  salvation : 

And  my  tongue  shall  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteous- 
ness. 


l86  READINGS    FROM 


O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips  ; 

And  my  mouth  shall  show  forth  thy  praise. 

For    thou    desirest    not    sacrifice ;     else  would  I 

give  it : 
Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt  offering. 
The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit : 
A    broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt 

not  despise.  Psalm  li :   1-17 


THEREFORE  thou  art  inexcusable,  O  man, 
whosoever  thou  art  that  judgest :  for 
wherein  thou  judgest  another,  thou  condemnest 
thyself;  for  thou  that  judgest  doest  the  same 
things.  But  we  are  sure  that  the  judgment  of 
God  is  according  to  truth  against  them  which 
commit  such  things.  And  thinkest  thou  this,  O 
man,  that  judgest  them  which  do  such  things, 
and  doest  the  same,  that  thou  shalt  escape  the 
judgment  of  God  ?  Or  despisest  thou  the  riches 
of  his  goodness  and  forbearance  and  longsuffer- 
ing;  not  knowing  that  the  goodness  of  God  lead- 
eth  thee  to  repentance  .-'  But  after  thy  hardness 
and  impenitent  heart  treasurest  up  unto  thyself 
wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath  and  revelation  of 
the  righteous  judgment  of  God  ;  who  will  ren- 
der to  every  man  according  to  his  deeds :  tp 
them  vv^ho  by  patient  continuance  in  well  doing 
seek  for  glory  and  honour  and  immortality,  eter- 
nal life  :  but  unto  them  that  are  contentious,  and 
do  not  obey  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness, 
indignation  and  wrath,  tribulation  and  anguish, 
upon  every  soul  of  man  that  doeth  evil,  of  the 
Jew  first,  and  also  of  the  Gentile  ;  but  glory, 
honour,  and  peace,  to  every  man  that  worketh 
good,  to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Gentile  : 
for  there  is  no  respect  of  persons  with  God. 
For  as  many  as  have  sinned  without  law  shall 
also  perish  without  law  :  and  as  many  as  have 
sinned  in  the  law  shall  be  judged  by  the  law;  in 
the  day  when  God  shall  judge  the  secrets  of  men 
by  Jesus  Christ  according  to  my  gospel. 

Rom.  ii :   1-12,  16. 


THE    BIBLE.  187 


FOR  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual:  but  I 
am  carnal,  sold  under  sin.  For  that  which  I 
do  I  allow  not :  for  what  I  would,  that  do  I  not; 
but  what  I  hate,  that  do  I.  If  then  I  do  that 
which  I  would  not,  I  consent  unto  the  law  that  it 
is  good.  Now  then  it  is  no  more  I  that  do  it,  but 
sin  that  dwelleth  in  me.  For  I  know  that  in  me 
(that  is,  in  my  flesh,)  dwelleth  no  good  thing: 
for  to  vv^ill  is  present  with  me  ;  but  how  to  per- 
form that  which  is  good  I  find  not.  For  the  good 
that  I  would  I  do  not :  but  the  evil  which  I  would 
not,  that  I  do.  Now  if  I  do  that  I  would  not,  it 
is  no  more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  that  dwelleth  in 
me.  I  find  then  a  law,  that,  when  I  would  do 
good,  evil  is  present  with  me.  For  I  delight  in 
the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man  :  but  I  see 
another  law  in  my  members,  warring  against  the 
law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  captivity 
to  the  law  of  sin  which  is  in  my  members.  O 
wretched  man  that  I  am  !  who  shall  deliver  me 
from  the  body  of  this  death  ?  I  thank  God 
through   Jesus    Christ    our    Lord. 

Rom.  vii :  14-253. 


SAY  not  thou,  It  is  through  the  Lord  that  I 
fell  away  :  for  thou  oughtest  not  to  do  the 
things  that  he  hateth.  Say  not  thou.  He  hath 
caused  me  to  err  :  for  he  hath  no  need  of  the 
sinful  man.  The  Lord  hateth  all  abomination  ; 
and  they  that  fear  God  love  it  not.  He  himself 
made  man  from  the  beginning,  and  left  him  in 
the  hand  of  his  counsel ;  if  thou  wilt,  to  keep  the 
commandments,  and  to  perform  acceptable  faith- 
fulness. He  hath  set  fire  and  water  before  thee: 
stretch  forth  thy  hand  unto  whether  thou  wilt. 
Before  man  is  life  and  death;  and  whether  him 
liketh  shall  be  given  him.  For  the  wisdom  of 
the  Lord  is  great,  and  he  is  mighty  in  pov/er, 
and  beholdeth  all  things  ;  and  his  eyes  are  upon 
them  that  fear  him,  and  he  knoweth  every  v/ork 
of  man.  He  hath  commanded  no  man  to  do 
wickedly,  neither  hath  he  given  any  man  licence 
to  sin.  Ecclus.  XV  :   11-20. 


i88  READINGS  FROM 


ND  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  of  the 
Laodiceans  write  ;  These  things  saith  the 
Amen,  the  faithful  and  true  witness,  the  begin- 
ning of  the  creation  of  God  ;  I  know  thy  works, 
that  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot :  I  would  thou 
wert  cold  or  hot.  So  then  because  thou  art  luke- 
warm, and  neither  cold  nor  hot,  I  will  spue  thee 
out  of  my  mouth.  Because  thou  sayest,  I  am 
rich,  and  increased  with  goods,  and  have  need  of 
nothing  ;  and  knowest  not  that  thou  art  wretched, 
and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked  : 
I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in  the  fire, 
that  thou  mayest  be  rich ;  and  white  raiment, 
that  thou  mayest  be  clothed,  and  that  the  shame 
of  thy  nakedness  do  not  appear;  and  anoint  thine 
eyes  with  eyesalve,  that  thou  mayest  see.  As 
many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and  chasten  :  be  zealous 
therefore,  and  repent.  Behold,  I  stand  at  the 
door,  and  knock:  if  any  man  hear  m^y  voice,  and 
open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup 
with  him,  and  he  with  me.  To  him  that  over- 
cometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me  in  my  throne, 
even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set  down  with 
my  Father  in  his  throne.  He  that  hath  an  ear, 
let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the 
churches.  Rev.  iii :  14-22. 


IF  thou  shalt  seek  the  Lord  thy  God,  thou  shalt 
find  him,  if  thou  seek  him  with  all  thy  heart 
and  with  all  thy  soul.  When  thou  art  in  tribula- 
tion, and  all  these  things  are  come  upon  thee, 
even  in  the  latter  days,  if  thou  turn  to  the  Lord 
thy  God,  and  shalt  be  obedient  unto  his  voice  : 
(for  the  Lord  thy  God  is  a  merciful  God;)  he 
will  not  forsake  thee,  neither  destroy  thee,  nor 
forget  the  covenant  of  thy  fathers  which  he 
sware  unto  them.  .  .  .  O  Israel,  return  unto 
the  Lord  thy  God;  for  thou  hast  fallen  by  thine 
iniquity.  Take  with  you  words,  and  turn  to  the 
Lord:  say  unto  him.  Take  away  all  iniquity,  and 
receive  us  graciously ;  so  will  v/e  render  the 
calves  of  our  lips.     ...     I  will    ransom    them 


THE   BIBLE.  189 


from  the  power  c^  the  grave  :  I  will  redeem  them 
from  death  :  O  death,  I  will  be  thy  plagues  :  O 
grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction  :  repentance  shall 
be  hid  from  mine  eyes  ....  I  will  heal 
their  backsliding,  I  will  love  them  freely:  for 
mine  anger  is  turned  away  from  him. 
Who  is  wise,  and  he  shall  understand  these 
things  ?  prudent,  and  he  shall  knov/  them  ?  for 
the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  right,  and  the  just  shall 
walk  in  them :  but  the  transgressors  shall  fall 
therein.  Deut.  iv  :  29,  etc. 


HEAR  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  rulers  of 
Sodom  ;  give  ear  unto  the  law  of  our  God, 
ye  people  of  Gomorrah.  To  what  purpose  is  the 
inultitude  of  your  sacrifices  unto  me  ?  saith  the 
Lord  :  I  am  full  of  the  burnt  offerings  of  rams, 
and  the  fat  of  fed  beasts  ;  and  I  delight  not  in 
the  blood  of  bullocks,  or  of  lambs,  or  of  he  goats. 
When  ye  come  to  appear  before  me,  who  hath 
required  this  at  your  hand,  to  tread  my  courts  .^ 
Bring  no  more  vain  oblations ;  incense  is  an 
abomination  unto  me  ;  the  new  moons  and  sab- 
baths, the  calling  of  assemblies,  I  cannot  away 
with;  it  is  iniquity,  even  the  solemn  meeting. 
Your  new  moons  and  your  appointed  feasts  my 
soul  hateth :  they  are  a  trouble  unto  me  ;  I  am 
weary  to  bear  them.  And  when  ye  spread  forth 
your  hands,  I  will  hide  mine  eyes  from  you  :  yea, 
when  ye  make  many  prayers,  I  will  not  hear: 
your  hands  are  full  of  blood.  Wash  you,  make 
you  clean;  put  away  the  evil  of  your  doings  from 
before  mine  eyes  ;  cease  to  do  evil ;  learn  to  do 
well;  seek  judgment,  relieve  the  oppressed, 
judge  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow.  Come 
now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the  Lord  : 
though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as 
white  as  snow  ;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson, 
they  shall  be  as  wool.  If  ye  be  willing  and  obe- 
dient, ye  shall  eat  the  good  of  the  land  :  but  if 
ye  refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured  with  the 
sword  :  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

Isaiah  i :   10-20. 


igo  READINGS   FROM 


FOR  thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel ;  In  returning  and  rest  shall  ye  be 
saved  ;  in  quietness  and  in  confidence  shall  be 
your  strength :  and  ye  would  not.  .  .  There- 
fore will  the  Lord  wait,  that  he  may  be  gracious 
unto  you,  and  therefore  will  he  be  exalted,  that 
he  may  have  mercy  upon  you :  for  the  Lord  is  a 
God  of  judgment;  blessed  are  all  they  that  wait 
for  him.  For  the  people  shall  dwell  in  Zion  at 
Jerusalem  :  thou  shalt  weep  no  more  :  he  will  be 
very  gracious  unto  thee  at  the  voice  of  thy  cry ; 
when  he  shall  hear  it,  he  will  answer  thee.  And 
though  the  Lord  give  you  the  bread  of  adversity, 
and  the  water  of  affiicticn,  yet  shall  not  thy 
teachers  be  removed  into  a  corner  any  more,  but 
thine  eyes  shall  see  thy  teachers  :  and  thine  ears 
shall  hear  a  word  behind  thee,  saying,  This  is  the 
way,  walk  ye  in  it,  when  ye  turn  to  the  right 
hand,  and  when  ye  turn  to  the  left. 

Isaiah  xxx  :  15,  18-21. 


COMFORT  ye,  comfort  ye  my  people,  saith 
your  God.  Speak  ye  comfortably  to  Jerusa- 
lem, and  cry  unto  her,  that  her  warfare  is  accom- 
plished, that  her  iniquity  is  pardoned  :  for  she 
hath  received  of  the  Lord's  hand  double  for  all 
her  sins.  The  voice  of  him  that  crieth  in  the 
wilderness.  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
make  straight  in  the  desert  a  highway  for  our 
God.  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every 
mountain  and  hill  shall  be  made  low  :  and  the 
crooked  shall  be  made  straight,  and  the  rough 
places  plain :  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
revealed,  and  all  flesh  shall  see  it  together:  for 
the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it.  The 
voice  said.  Cry.  And  he  said,  What  shall  I  cry? 
All  flesh  is  grass,  and  all  the  goodliness  thereof 
is  as  the  flower  of  the  field  :  the  grass  withereth, 
the  flower  fadeth  :  because  the  spirit  of  the  Lord 
bloweth  upon  it :  surely  the  people  is  grass. 
The  grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth :  but  the 


THE    BIBLE.  igi 


word  of  our  God  shall  stand  for  ever.  O  Zion, 
that  bringest  good  tidings,  get  thee  up  into  the 
high  mountain  ;  O  Jerusalem,  that  bringest  good 
tidings,  lift  up  thy  voice  with  strength  ;  lift  it  up, 
be  not  afraid;  say  unto  the  cities  of  Judah,  Be- 
hold your  God  !  Behold,  the  Lord  God  will  come 
with  strong  hand,  and  his  arm  shall  rule  for  him : 
behold,  his  reward  is  with  him,  and  his  work  be- 
fore him.  He  shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shep- 
herd :  he  shall  gather  the  lambs  with  his  arm, 
and  carry  them  in  his  bosom,  and  shall  gently 
lead  those  that  are  with  young.  .  .  .  Why  sayest 
thou,  O  Jacob,  and  speakest,  O  Israel,  My  way  is 
hid  from  the  Lord,  and  my  judgment  is  passed 
over  from  my  God?  Hast  thou  not  known  .^  hast 
thou  not  heard,  that  the  everlasting  God,  the 
Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth,  faint- 
eth  not,  neither  is  weary?  there  is  no  searching 
of  his  understanding.  He  giveth  power  to  the 
faint ;  and  to  them  that  have  no  might  he  in- 
creaseth  strength.  Even  the  youths  shall  faint 
and  be  weary,  and  the  young  men  shall  utterly 
fall:  but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  re- 
new their  strength ;  they  shall  mount  up  with 
wings  as  eagles ;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be 
weary  ;  and  they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint. 

Isaiah  xl :  1-11,27-31. 


BUT  now  thus  saith  the  Lord  that  created 
thee,  O  Jacob,  and  he  that  formed  thee,  O 
Israel,  Fear  not  :  for  I  have  redeemed  thee,  I 
have  called  thee  by  thy  name  ;  thou  art  mine. 
When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be 
with  thee  :  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 
overflow  thee :  when  thou  walkest  through  the 
fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned  ;  neither  shall  the 
flame  kindle  upon  thee  ...  I,  even  I,  am  the 
Lord  ;  and  beside  me  there  is  no  Saviour. 
I,  even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  transgres- 
sions for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  rot  remember 
thy  sins.     .     .     .     For    thus    saith    the   high    and 


ig2 


READINGS   FROM 


lofty  One  that  inhctbiteth  eternity,  whose  Name 
is  Holy  ;  I  dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place,  with 
him  also  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit, 
to  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive 
the  heart  of  the   contrite  ones. 

Isaiah  xliii:   1,2,  11,  25,  and  Ivii :   15. 


MY  son,  if  thou  come  to  serve  the  Lord, 
prepare  thy  soul  for  temptation.  Set  thy 
heart  aright,  and  constantly  endure,  and  make 
not  haste  in  time  of  trouble.  Cleave  unto  him, 
and  depart  not  away,  that  thou  mayest  be  in- 
creased at  thy  last  end.  Whatsoever  is  brought 
upon  thee  take  cheerfully,  and  be  patient  when 
thou  art  changed  to  a  low  estate.  For  gold  is 
tried  in  the  fire,  and  acceptable  men  in  the  fur- 
nace of  adversity.  Believe  in  him  and  he  will 
help  thee ;  order  thy  way  aright,  and  trust  in 
him.  Ye  that  fear  the  Lord,  wait  for  his  mercy; 
and  go  not  aside,  lest  ye  fall.  Ye  that  fear  the 
Lord,  believe  him;  and  your  reward  shall  not 
fail.  Ye  that  fear  the  Lord,  hope  for  good,  and 
for  everlasting  joy  and  mercy.  Look  at  the 
generations  of  old,  and  see;  did  ever  any  trust  in 
the  Lord,  and  was  confounded  ?  or  did  any  abide 
in  his  fear,  and  was  forsaken?  or  whom  did  he 
ever  despise,  that  called  upon  him  ?  For  the 
Lord  is  full  of  compassion  and  mercy,  longsuffer- 
ing,  and  very  pitiful,  and  forgiveth  sins,  and 
saveth  in  time  of  affliction.  Woe  be  to  fearful 
hearts,  and  faint  hands,  and  the  sinner  that 
goeth  two  ways !  Woe  unto  him  that  is  faint- 
hearted !  for  he  believeth  not ;  therefore  shall  he 
not  be  defended.  Woe  unto  you  that  have  lost 
patience  !  and  what  will  ye  do  when  the  Lord  shall 
visit  you  ?  They  that  fear  the  Lord  will  not 
disobey  his  word  ;  and  they  that  love  him  will 
keep  his  ways.  They  that  fear  the  Lord  will 
seek  that  which  is  wellpleasing  unto  him  ;  and 
they  that  love  him  shall  be  filled  with  the  law. 
They  that  fear  the  Lord  will  prepare  their  heart, 


THE    BIBLE.  193 


and  humble  their  souls  in  his  sight,  saying 
"We  will  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Lord,  and 
not  into  the  hands  of  men  :  for  as  his  majesty 
is,  so  is  his  mercy.  Ecclus.  ii. 


AS  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God. 

My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God  : 

When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  God? 

My  tears  have  been  my  meat  day  and  night, 

While  they  continually  say  unto  me,  Where  is 
thy  God  ? 

When  I  remember  these  things,  I  pour  out  my 
soul   in   me  : 

For  I  had  gone  with  the  multitude,  I  went  with 
them  to  the  house  of  God, 

With  the  voice  of  joy  and  praise,  with  a  multi- 
tude  that   kept  holyday. 

Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?  and  why 
art  thou  disquieted  in  me? 

Hope  thou  in  God  :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him  for 
the  help  of  his  countenance. 

0  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me : 
Therefore  will  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of 

Jordan,  and  of  the  Hermonites,  from  the  hill 
Mizar. 

Deep  calleth  unto  deep  at  the  noise  of  thy  water- 
spouts : 

All  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  are  gone  over  me. 

Yet  the  Lord  will  command  his  lovingkindness  in 
the  daytime. 

And  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me,  and 
my  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my  life. 

1  will  say  unto  God  my  rock,  W^hy  hast  thou  for- 

gotten me  ? 

Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the  oppression 
of  the  enemy  ? 

As  with  a  sword  in  my  bones,  mine  enemies  re- 
proach me  ; 

While  they  say  daily  unto  me,  Where  is  thy 
God? 


194  READINGS    FROM 


Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?  and  why 
art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ?  hope  thou  in 
God: 

For  I  shall  yet  praise  him,  who  is  the  health  of 
my  countenance,  and  my  God.  Psalm  xlii. 


LESSED  is  he   whose   transgression  is  for- 
given. 
Whose  sin  is  covered. 
Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord  imput- 

eth  not  iniquity, 
And  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile. 
When  I  kept  silence, 
My  bones  waxed  old  through  my  roaring  all  the 

day  long. 
For  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me  : 
My  moisture  is  turned  into  the  drought  of  summer. 
I   acknowledged     my   sin   unto    thee,    and    mine 

iniquity  have  I  not  hid. 
I  said,  I  will  confess  my  transgressions  unto  the 

Lord ;  and  thou  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my 

sin. 
For  this  shall  every  one  that  is  godly  pray  unto 

thee  in  a  time  when  thou  mayest  be  found : 
Surely  in  the  floods   of    great  waters  they  shall 

not  come  nigh  unto  him. 
Thou  art  my  hiding  place;    thou  shalt  preserve 

me  from  trouble  ; 
Thou  shalt  compass  me  about  with  songs  of  de- 
liverance. 
I  will  instruct  thee  and  teach   thee  in  the  way 

which  thou  shalt  go  : 
I  will  guide  thee  with  mine  eye. 
Be  ye  not  as  the   horse,  or  as  the   mule,  which 

have  no  understanding  : 
Whose  mouth  must  be  held  in  with  bit  and  bridle, 

lest  they  come  near  unto  thee. 
Many  sorrows  shall  be  to  the  wicked  : 
But    he  that    trusteth   in  the   Lord,   mercy  shall 

compass  him  about. 
Be  glad  in  the  Lord,  and  rejoice,  ye  righteous: 
And   shout    for   joy,  all   ye    that   are   upright  in 

heart.  Psalm  xxxii. 


THE    BIBLE.  193 


THE    Lord    is    my    light    and    my    salvation ; 
whom  shall  I  fear  ? 
The  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  life  ;    of  whom 

shall  I  be  afraid  ? 
When   the  wicked,  even   mine    enemies   and   my 

foes, 
Came  upon  me  to  eat  up  my  flesh,  they  stumbled 

and  fell. 
Though  an  host  should  encamp  against  me,  my 

heart  shall  not  fear  : 
Though  war  should  rise  against  me,  in  this  will  I 

be  confident. 
One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the   Lord,  that  will  I 

seek  after  ; 
That  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the   Lord  all 

the  days  of  my  life. 
To  behold  the  beauty  of  the  Lord,  and  to  enquire 

in  his  temple. 
For  in  the  time  of  trouble  he  shall  hide  me  in  his 

pavilion  : 
In  the  secret  of  his  tabernacle  shall  he  hide  me  ; 

he  shall  set  me  up  upon  a  rock. 
And  now  shall  mine  head  be  lifted  up  above  mine 

enemies  round  about  me  : 
Therefore  will  I  offer  in  his  tabernacle  sacrifices 

of  joy; 
I    will    sing,  yea,    I    will  sing   praises    unto   the 

Lord. 
Hear,  O  Lord,  when  I  cry  with  my  voice : 
Have  mercy  also  upon  me,  and  ansv/er  me. 
\A^hen  thou  saidst.  Seek  ye  my  face  ; 
My  heart  said  unto  thee.  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I 

seek. 
Hide  not  thy  face  far  from  me  ;    put  not  thy  ser- 
vant away  in  anger  : 
Thou  hast  been  my  help ;    leave  me  not,  neither 

forsake  me,  O  God  of  my  salvation. 
When  my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  me, 
Then  the   Lord  will  take  me  up. 
Teach  me  thy  way,   O  Lord, 
And    lead  me  in  a  plain  path,  because    of    mine 

enemies. 
Deliver  me  not  over  unto  the  will  of  mine  ene- 
mies: 


igS  READINGS  FROM 


For  false  witnesses  are  risen  up  against  me,  and 

such  as  breathe  out  cruelty. 
I  had  fainted,  unless  I   had    believed  to  see  the 

goodness    of    the    Lord    in    the   land    of   the 

living. 
Wait  on  the  Lord  :    be  of  good  courage, 
And  he  shall    strengthen    thine    heart : 
Wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord.  Psalm  xxvii. 


I  WAITED  patiently  for  the  Lord  ; 
And  he  inclined  unto  me,  and  heard  my  cry. 
He  brought  me  up  also  out  of    an   horrible   pit, 

out  of  the  miry  clay. 
And  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and  established  my 

goings. 
And  he  hath  put  a  new  song  in  m.y  mouth,  even 

praise  unto  our  God  : 
Many  shall  see  it,  and  fear,  and  shall  trust  in  the 

Lord. 
Blessed  is  that  man  that  maketh  the   Lord  his 

trust, 
And  respecteth  not  the  proud,  nor  such  as  turn 

aside  to  lies. 
Many,  O  Lord  my  God,  are  thy  wonderful  works 

which    thou    hast    done. 
And  thy  thoughts  which  are  to  us-ward  : 
They  cannot  be  reckoned  up  in  order  unto  thee  : 
If  I  would    declare    and  speak  of  them,  they  are 

more  than  can  be  numbered. 
Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  didst  not  desire ; 
Mine  ears  hast  thou  opened  : 
Burnt    offering   and    sin  offering   hast    thou  not 

required. 
Then  said  I,  Lo,  I  come  : 

In  the  volume  of  the  book  it  is  written  of  me, 
I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  O  my  God : 
Yea,  thy  law  is  within  my  heart. 
I  have  preached  righteousness  in  the  great  con- 
gregation : 
Lo,  I  have  not  refrained  my  lips,  O  Lord,  thou 

knowest. 


THE    BIBLE.  197 


I  have  not  hid  i.hy  righteousness  within  my 
heart  ; 

I  have  declared  thy  faithfulness  and  thy  salva- 
tion : 

I  have  not  concealed  thy  lovingkindness  and  thy 
truth  from  the  great  congregation. 

"Withhold  not  thou  thy  tender  mercies  from  me, 

0  Lord  : 

Let  thy  lovingkindness  and  thy  truth  continually 

preserve  me. 
For     innumerable     evils     have     compassed     me 

about : 
Mine  iniquities  have  taken  hold  upon  me,  so  that 

1  am  not  able  to  look  up  ; 

They  are  more  than  the  hairs  of  mine  head  : 

Therefore  my  heart  faileth  me. 

Be  pleased,  O  Lord,  to  deliver  me  ; 

O  Lord,  make  haste  to  help  me. 

Let  them  be  ashamed  and  confounded  together 

that  seek  after  my  soul  to  destroy  it ; 
Let  them  be  driven  backward  and  put  to  shame 

that  wish  me  evil. 
Let  them  be  desolate  for  a  reward  of  their  shame 

that  say  unto  me,  Aha,  Aha. 
Let  all  those  that  seek  thee  rejoice  and  be  glad 

in  thee  : 
Let  such   as    love  thy  salvation  say  continually, 

The  Lord  be  magnified. 
But  I  am  poor  and  needy  ; 
Yet  the  Lord  thinketh  upon  me  : 
Thou  art   my  help  and   my  deliverer;    make  no 

tarrying,  O  my  God.  Psalm  xl. 


BE  merciful  unto  me,  O  God,  be  merciful  unto 
me  : 
For  my  soul  trusteth  in  thee  : 
Yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  make  my 

refuge, 
Until  these  calamities  be  overpast. 
I  will  cry  unto  God  most  high  ; 
Unto  God  that  performeth  all  things  for  me. 
He  shall  send  from  heaven, 


igS  READINGS   FROM 


And   save    me    from    the   reproach   of    him    that 

would  swallow  me  up. 
God  shall  send  forth  his  mercy  and  his  truth. 
My  soul  is  among  lions  : 

And  I  lie  even  among  them  that  are  set  on  fire, 
Even   the   sons  of  men,  whose  teeth  are   spears 

and  arrows,  and  their  tongue  a  sharp  sword. 
Be  thou  exalted,  O  God,  above  the  heavens  ; 
Let  thy  glory  be  above  all  the  earth. 
They  have  prepared  a  net  for  my  steps  ; 
My  soul  is  bowed  down  : 
They  have  digged  a  pit  before  me,  into  the  midst 

whereof  they  are  fallen  themselves. 
My  heart  is  fixed,  O  God,  my  heart  is  fixed  : 
I  will  sing  and  give  praise. 

Awake  up,  my  glory  ;  awake,  psaltery  and  harp : 
I  myself  will  awake  early. 
I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  people : 
I  will  sing  unto  thee  among  the  nations. 
For  thy  mercy  is  great  unto  the  heavens, 
And  thy  truth  unto  the  clouds. 
Be  thou  exalted,  O  God,  above  the  heavens: 
Let  thy  glory  be  above  all  the  earth. 

Psalm  Ivii. 


I  "WILL  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills, 
From  whence  cometh  my  help. 
My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord, 
Which  made  heaven  and  earth. 
He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved: 
He  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber. 
Behold,   he    that    keepeth    Israel    shall    neither 

slumber  nor  sleep. 
The  Lord  is  thy  keeper  : 

The  Lord  is  thy  shade  upon  thy  right  hand. 
The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 
Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil ; 
He  shall  preserve  thy  soul. 
The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out  and  thy 

coming  in  from  this  time  forth. 
And  even  for  evermore.  Psalm  cxxi. 


THE   BIBLE.  xgg 


OLrORD,  thou  hast  searched  me,  and  known 
me. 

Thou  knowest  my  downsitting  and  mine  upris- 
ing, 

Thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off. 

Thou  compassest  my  path  and  my  lying  down, 

And  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways. 

For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue. 

But,  lo,  O  Lord,  thou  knowest  it  altogether. 

Thou  hast  beset  me  behind  and  before, 

And  laid  thine  hand  upon  me. 

Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me  ; 

It  is  high,  I  cannot  attain  unto  it. 

Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  spirit  ? 

Or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ? 

If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there : 

If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold,  thou  art  there. 

If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning. 

And  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea ; 

Even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me. 

And  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me. 

If  I  say.  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me  ; 

Even  the  night  shall  be  light  about  me. 

Yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee ; 

But  the  night  shineth  as  the  day: 

The  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  to  thee. 

For  thou  hast  possessed  my  reins : 

Thou  hast  covered  me  in  my  mother's  womb. 

I  will  praise  thee ;  for  I  am  fearfully  and  wonder- 
fully made  : 

Marvellous  are  thy  works ;  and  that  my  soul 
knoweth  right  well. 

My  substance  was  not  hid  from  thee,  when  I  was 
made  in  secret. 

And  curiously  wrought  in  the  lowest  parts  of  the 
earth. 

Thine  eyes  did  see  my  substance,  yet  being  un- 
perfect ; 

And  in  thy  book  all  my  members  were  written, 

W^hich  in  continuance  were  fashioned, 

When  as  yet  there  was  none  of  them. 

How  precious  also  are  thy  thoughts  unto  me,  O 
God! 

How  great  is  the  sum  of  them! 


READINGS    FROM 


If  I  should  count  them,  they  are  more  in  number 

than  the  sand  : 
When  I  awake,  I  am  still  with  thee. 
Surely  thou  wilt  slay  the  wicked,  O  God  : 
Depart  from  me  therefore,  ye  bloody  men. 
For  they  speak  against  thee  wickedly, 
And  thine  enemies  take  thy  name  in  vain. 
Do  not  I  hate  them,  O  Lord,  that  hate  thee  ? 
And  am  not  I  grieved  with    those    that    rise    up 

against  thee  ? 
I  hate  them  with  perfect  hatred : 
I  count  them  mine  enemies. 
Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart : 
Try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  : 
And  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me. 
And  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting. 

Psalm  cxxxix. 


IN  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  put  my  trust  : 
Let  me  never  be  put  to  confusion. 
Deliver  me  in  thy  righteousness,  and  cause    me 

to  escape  : 
Incline  thine  ear  unto  me,  and  save  me. 
Be  thou  my  strong  habitation,  whereunto  I  may 

continually  resort  : 
Thou  hast  given  commandment  to  save  me; 
For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress. 
Deliver  me,  O  my  God,  out  of  the  hand  of   the 

wicked. 
Out  of   the  hand    of   the    unrighteous    and    cruel 

man. 
For  thou  art  my  hope,  O  Lord  God  : 
Thou  art  my  trust  from  my  youth. 
By  thee  have  I  been  holden  up  from  the  womb : 
Thou  art  he  that  took  me    out    of   my    mother's 

bowels  : 
My  praise  shall  be  continually  of  thee. 
I  am  as  a  wonder  unto  many  ; 
But  thou  art  my  strong  refuge. 
Let  my  mouth  be  filled  with  thy  praise  and  with 

thy  honour  all  the  day. 
Cast  me  not  off  in  the  time  of  old  age  ; 


THE   BIBLE. 


Forsake  me  not  when  my  strength  faileth. 

For  mine  enemies  speak  against  me  ; 

And  they  that  lay  wait  for  my  soul  take  counsel 

together, 
Saying,  God  hath  forsaken  him  ; 
Persecute  and  take  him  ; 
For  there  is  none  to  deliver  him. 
O  God,  be  not  far  from  me  : 

0  my  God,  make  haste  for  my  help. 

Let  them  be  confounded  and  consumed  that  are 
adversaries  to  my  soul ; 

Let  them  be  covered  with  reproach  and  dis- 
honour that  seek  my  hurt. 

But  I  will  hope  continually,  and  will  yet  praise 
thee  more  and  more. 

My  mouth  shall  shew  forth  thy  righteousness 
and  thy  salvation  all  the  day ; 

For  I  know  not  the  numbers  thereof. 

1  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God  : 

I  will  make  mention  of  thy  righteousness,  even 

of  thine  only. 
O  God,  thou  hast  taught  me  from  my  youth  : 
And    hitherto    have    I     declared    thy    wondrous 

works. 
Now    also   when    I    am    old    and    greyheaded,    O 

God,  forsake  me  not ; 
Until    I    have    shewed    thy    strength    unto    this 

generation. 
And  thy  power  to  every  one  that  is  to  come. 
Thy  righteousness  also,  O  God,  is  very  high,  who 

hast  done  great  things  : 

0  God,  who  is  like  unto  thee  ! 

Thou,    which    hast    shewed    me    great    and    sore 

troubles,  shalt  quicken  me  again. 
And  shalt  bring  me  up  again  from  the  depths  of 

the  earth. 
Thou  shalt  increase  my  greatness,  and  comfort 

me  on  every  side. 

1  will    also    praise    thee    with  the  psaltery,  even 

thy  truth,  O  my  God  : 
Unto  thee  v/ill  I  sing  with  the  harp,  O  thou  Holy 

One  of  Israel. 
My  lips  shall  greatly  rejoice  when    I    sing    unto 

thee ; 


READINGS   FROM 


And  my  soul,  which  thou  hast  redeemed. 

My  tongue  also  shall  talk  of   thy    righteousness 

all  the  day  long  : 
For  they  are  confounded,  for   they   are    brought 

unto  shame,  that  seek  my  hurt. 

Psalm  Ixxi. 


LOVE  the  Lord,  because  he  hath  heard    my 
voice  and  my  supplications. 
Because  he  hath  inclined  his  ear  unto  me. 
Therefore  will  I  call  upon  him  as  long  as  I  live. 
The  sorrows  of   death    compassed   me,   and   the 

pains  of  hell  gat  hold  upon  me  : 
I  found  trouble  and  sorrov/. 
Then  called  I  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord; 

0  Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  deliver  my  soul. 
Gracious  is  the  Lord,  and  righteous ; 
Yea,  our  God  is  merciful. 

The  Lord  preserveth  the  simple  : 

1  was  brought  low,  and  he  helped  me. 
Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul ; 

For  the  Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee. 
For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death, 
Mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet  from  falling. 
I  will  walk  before  the  Lord  in    the   land    of   the 

living. 
I  believed,  therefore  have  I  spoken : 
I  was  greatly  afflicted  : 
I  said  in  my  haste,  all  men  are  liars. 
"What  shall  I  render  unto    the    Lord    for   all   his 

benefits  toward  me  ? 
I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the 

name  of  the  Lord. 
I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  the  Lord    now    in    the 

presence  of  all  his  people. 
Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of 

his  saints. 

0  Lord,  truly  I  am  thy  servant  ; 

1  am  thy  servant,  and  the  son  of  thine  handmaid  : 
Thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds. 

I  will  offer  to  thee  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving, 
And  will  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord. 


THE    BIBLE.  2Q3 


I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  the    Lord   now   in    the 

presence  of  all  his  people, 
In  the  courts  of  the  Lord's  house,  in  the  midst 

of  thee,  O  Jerusalem. 
Praise  ye  the  Lord.  Psalm  cxvi. 


WILL  extol  thee,  my  God,  O  king; 
And  I  will  bless  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Every  day  v/ill  I  bless  thee  ; 

And  I  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised  ; 

And  his  greatness  is  unsearchable. 

One  generation  shall  praise  thy  works  to  another, 

And  shall  declare  thy  mighty  acts. 

I  will  speak  of  the  glorious  honour  of  thy  majesty. 

And  of  thy  wondrous  works. 

And  men  shall  speak  of  the  might  of  thy  terrible 
acts  : 

And  I  will  declare  thy  greatness. 

They  shall  abundantly  utter  the  memory  of  thy 
great  goodness, 

And  shall  sing  of  thy  righteousness. 

The  Lord  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion  ; 

Slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  mercy. 

The  Lord  is  good  to  all : 

And  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 

All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord; 

And  thy  saints  shall  bless  thee. 

They  shall  speak  of  the  glory   of   thy    kingdom, 
and  talk  of  thy  power  ; 

To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  his  mighty 
acts. 

And  the  glorious  majesty  of  his  kingdom. 

Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom, 

And  thy  dominion  endureth  throughout  all  gen- 
erations. 

The  Lord  upholdeth  all  that  fall, 

And  raiseth  up  all  those  that  be  bowed  down. 

The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee  ; 

And  thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season. 

Thou  openest  thine  hand. 

And  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living  thing. 


204  READINGS   FROM 


The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways, 

And  holy  in  all  his  works. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that   call   upon 

him, 
To  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth. 
He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him  : 
He  also  will  hear  their  cry,  and  will  save  them. 
The  Lord  preserveth  all  them  that  love  him  : 
But  all  the  wicked  will  he  destroy. 
My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  the  Lord  ; 
And  let  all  flesh  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and 

ever.  Psalm  cxlv. 


THEREFORE  I  say  unto  you,  Take  no  thought 
for  your  life,  what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye 
shall  drink ;  nor  yet  for  your  body,  what  ye  shall 
put  on.  Is  not  the  life  more  than  meat,  and  the 
body  than  raiment  ?  Behold  the  fowls  of  the 
air:  for  they  sow  not,  neither  do  they  reap,  nor 
gather  into  barns ;  yet  your  heavenly  Father 
feedeth  them.  Are  ye  not  much  better  than 
they?  Which  of  you  by  taking  thought  can  add 
one  cubit  unto  his  stature  ?  And  why  take  ye 
thought  for  raiment?  Consider  the  lilies  of  the 
field,  how  they  grow ;  they  toil  not,  neither  do 
they  spin :  and  yet  I  say  unto  you.  That  even 
Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like 
one  of  these.  Wherefore,  if  God  so  clothe  the 
grass  of  the  field,  which  to  day  is,  and  to  morrow 
is  cast  into  the  oven,  shall  he  not  much  more 
clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little  faith  ?  Therefore  take 
no  thought,  saying,  What  shall  we  eat  ?  or.  What 
shall  we  drink  ?  or.  Wherewithal  shall  we  be 
clothed  ?  (for  after  all  these  things  do  the  Gen- 
tiles seek :)  for  your  heavenly  Father  knoweth 
that  ye  have  need  of  all  these  things.  But  seek 
ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteous- 
ness ;  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you. 
Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow  :  for 
the  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of 
itself.     Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof. 

Matt,  vi :  25-34. 


THE   BIBLE.  203 


AT  that  time  Jesus  answered  and  said,  I  thank 
thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth, 
because  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise 
and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes. 
Even  so.  Father  :  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy 
sight.  All  things  are  delivered  unto  me  of  my 
Father  :  and  no  man  knoweth  the  Son,  but  the 
Father ;  neither  knoweth  any  man  the  Father, 
save  the  Son,  and  he  to  whomsoever  the  Son 
will  reveal  him.  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that 
labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you 
rest.  Take  my  yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me  ; 
for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart :  and  ye  shall 
find  rest  unto  your  souls.  For  my  yoke  is  easy, 
and  my  burden  is  light.  Matt,  xi :  25-30. 


AND  he  said,  A  certain  man  had  two  sons: 
and  the  younger  of  them  said  to  his  father, 
Father,  give  me  the  portion  of  goods  that  falleth 
to  me.  And  he  divided  unto  them  his  living. 
And  not  many  days  after  the  younger  son 
gathered  all  together,  and  took  his  journey  into 
a  far  country,  and  there  wasted  his  substance 
with  riotous  living.  And  when  he  had  spent  all, 
there  arose  a  mighty  famine  in  that  land ;  and 
he  began  to  be  in  want.  And  he  went  and  joined 
himself  to  a  citizen  of  that  country;  and  he  sent 
him  into  his  fields  to  feed  swine.  And  he  would 
fain  have  filled  his  belly  with  the  husks  that  the 
swine  did  eat:  and  no  man  gave  unto  him..  And 
when  he  came  to  himself,  he  said,  How  many 
hired  servants  of  my  father's  have  bread  enough 
and  to  spare,  and  I  perish  with  hunger !  I  will 
arise  and  go  to  my  father,  and  will  say  unto  him, 
Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven,  and  before 
thee,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy 
son :  make  me  as  one  of  thy  hired  servants. 
And  he  arose,  and  cam.e  to  his  father.  But  when 
he  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  his  father  saw  him, 
and  had  compassion,  and  ran,  and  fell  upon  his 
neck,  and  kissed  him.       And  the  son    said    unto 


/ 


2o6  READINGS  FROM 


him,  Father,  I  have  sinned  against  heaven,  and 
in  thy  sight,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called 
thy  son.     But    the    father    said    to   his    servants, 
Bring  forth  the  best  robe,  and    put    it    on   him  ; 
and  put  a  ring  on  his   hand,    and    shoes    on   his 
feet  :  and  bring  hither  the  fatted  calf,  and  kill  it  ; 
and  let  us  eat,  and  be  merry  :    for    this  my  son 
was  dead,  and  is  alive  again  ;  he  was  lost,   and  is 
found.     And  they  began  to  be  merry.     Now  his 
elder    son    was    in    the  field  :     and    as    he    came 
and    drew   nigh    to    the    house,    he    heard    music 
and  dancing.     And  he  called  one  of  the  servants, 
and    asked    what    these    things    meant.     And    he 
said  unto  him,  Thy    brother   is    come ;    and    thy 
father  hath  killed  the  fatted  calf,  because  he  hath 
received  him  safe  and  sound.     And  he  was  angry, 
and  would  not  go  in  :  therefore  came  his  father 
out,  and  intreated  him.     And  he  answering  said 
to  his  father,   Lo,  these  many  years  do  I    serve 
thee,    neither    transgressed    I    at    any    time    thy 
commandment  ;  and  yet  thou  never  gavest  me  a 
kid,  that  I  might  make  merry  with  my  friends  : 
but  as  soon  as    this  thy    son    v/as    come,    which 
hath  devoured  thy  living  with  harlots,  thou  hast 
killed  for  him  the  fatted  calf.     And  he  said  unto 
him,  Son,  thou  art  ever  with  me,  and  all  that  I 
have  is  thine.     It  was  meet  that  we  should  make 
merry,    and    be    glad  :  for   this    thy    brother   was 
dead,  and  is  alive  again  ;    and  was   lost,    and    is 
found.  Luke  xv  :  11-32. 


FOR  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  as  a  man  travel- 
ling into  a  far  country,  who  called  his  ov/n 
servants,  and  delivered  unto  them  his  goods. 
And  unto  one  he  gave  five  talents,  to  another 
two,  and  to  another  one  ;  to  every  man  according 
to  his  several  ability  ;  and  straightway  took  his 
journey.  Then  he  that  had  received  the  five 
talents  went  and  traded  with  the  same,  and 
made  them  other  five  talents.  And  likewise  he 
that  had  received  two,  he  also  gained  other  two. 
But  he  that  had  received  one  went   and    digged 


THE   BIBLE.  207 


in  the  earth,  and  hid  his  lord's  money.  After  a 
long  time  the  lord  of  those  servants  cometh,  and 
reckoneth  with  them.  And  so  he  that  had  re- 
ceived five  talents  came  and  brought  other  five 
talents,  saying,  Lord,  thou  deliveredst  unto  me 
five  talents  :  behold,  I  have  gained  beside  them 
five  talents  more.  His  lord  said  unto  him.  Well 
done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant :  thou  hast 
been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee 
ruler  over  many  things  :  enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  thy  lord.  He  also  that  had  received  two 
talents  came  and  said.  Lord,  thou  deliveredst 
unto  me  two  talents  :  behold,  I  have  gained  two 
other  talents  beside  them.  His  lord  said  unto 
him,  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant ;  thou 
hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make 
thee  ruler  over  many  things  :  enter  thou  into  the 
joy  of  thy  lord.  Then  he  which  had  received  the 
one  talent  came  and  said,  Lord,  I  knew  thee 
that  thou  art  an  hard  man,  reaping  where  thou 
hast  not  sown,  and  gathering  where  thou  hast 
not  strawed :  and  I  was  afraid,  and  went  and  hid 
thy  talent  in  the  earth  :  lo,  there  thou  hast  that 
is  thine.  His  lord  answered  and  said  unto  him. 
Thou  wicked  and  slothful  servant,  thou  knewest 
that  I  reap  where  I  sowed  not,  and  gather  where 
I  have  not  strawed :  thou  oughtest  therefore 
to  have  put  my  money  to  the  exchangers,  and 
then  at  my  coming  I  should  have  received  mine 
own  with  usury.  Take  therefore  the  talent  from 
him,  and  give  it  unto  him  which  hath  ten  talents. 
For  unto  every  one  that  hath  shall  be  given,  and 
he  shall  have  abundance  :  but  from  him  that  hath 
not  shall  be  taken  away  even  that  which  he  hath. 
And  cast  ye  the  unprofitable  servant  into  outer 
darkness  :  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing 
of  teeth.  Matt,  xxv  :  14-30. 


'HEN  the  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  his 
glory,  and  all  the  holy  angels  with  him, 
then  shall  he  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his  glory: 
and    before    him   shall   be    gathered    all   nations : 


/ 


2o8  READINGS    FROM 


and  he  shall  separate  them  one  from  another,  as 
a  shepherd  divideth  his  sheep  from  the  goats  : 
and  he  shall  set  the  sheep  on  his  right  hand, 
but  the  goats  on  the  left.  Then  shall  the  King 
say  unto  them  on  his  right  hand.  Come,  ye  blessed 
of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world :  for  I  was 
an  hungred,  and  ye  gave  me  meat :  I  was  thirsty, 
and  ye  gave  me  drink  :  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye 
took  me  in:  naked,  and  ye  clothed  me  :  I  was  sick, 
and  ye  visited  me:  I  was  in  prison,  and  ye  came 
unto  me.  Then  shall  the  righteous  answer  him, 
saying.  Lord,  when  saw  we  thee  an  hungred, 
and  fed  thee  ?  or  thirsty,  and  gave  thee  drink  ? 
when  saw  we  thee  a  stranger,  and  took  thee 
in  .^  or  naked,  and  clothed  thee?  or  when  saw 
we  thee  sick,  or  in  prison,  and  came  unto 
thee  ?  And  the  King  shall  answer  and  say  unto 
them.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Inasmuch  as  ye 
have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my 
brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me.  Then  shall 
he  say  also  unto  them  on  the  left  hand,  Depart 
from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  pre- 
pared for  the  devil  and  his  angels:  for  I  was  an 
hungred,  and  ye  gave  me  no  meat :  I  was  thirsty, 
and  ye  gave  me  no  drink  :  I  was  a  stranger,  and 
ye  took  me  not  in:  naked,  and  ye  clothed  me 
not:  sick,  and  in  prison,  and  ye  visited  me  not.' 
Then  shall  they  also  answer  him,  saying,  Lord, 
when  saw  we  thee  an  hungred,  or  athirst,  or  a 
stranger,  or  naked,  or  sick,  or  in  prison,  and  did 
not  minister  unto  thee  ?  Then  shall  he  answer 
them,  saying.  Verily  I  say  unto  you.  Inasmuch 
as  ye  did  it  not  to  one  of  the  least  of  these,  ye 
did  it  not  to  me.  And  these  shall  go  away  into 
everlasting  punishment :  but  the  righteous  into 
life  eternal.  Matt,  xxv  :  31-46. 


VERILY,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  We  speak 
that  we  do  know,  and  testify  that  we  have 
seen ;  and  ye  receive  not  our  witness.  If  I  have 
told  you  earthly  things,  and  ye  believe  not,  how 


THE   BIBLE.  209 


shall  ye  believe,  if  I  tell  you  of  heavenly  things  ? 
And  no  man  hath  ascended  up  to  heaven,  but 
he  that  came  down  from  heaven,  even  the 
Son  of  man  which  is  in  heaven.  And  as  Moses 
lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness,  even  so 
must  the  Son  of  man  be  lifted  up:  that  who- 
soever believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  eternal  life.  For  God  so  loved  the  world, 
that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  who- 
soever believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life.  For  God  sent  not  his  Son 
into  the  world  to  condemn  the  world  ;  but  that 
the  world  through  him  might  be  saved.  He  that 
believeth  on  him  is  not  condemned  :  but  he  that 
believeth  not  is  condemned  already,  because  he 
hath  not  believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  be- 
gotten Son  of  God.  And  this  is  the  condemna- 
tion, that  light  is  come  into  the  world,  and  men 
loved  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their 
deeds  were  evil.  For  every  one  that  doeth  evil 
hateth  the  light,  neither  cometh  to  the  light,  lest 
his  deeds  should  be  reproved.  But  he  that 
doeth  truth  cometh  to  the  light,  that  his  deeds 
may  be  made  manifest,  that  they  are  wrought 
in  God.  John  iii :  11-21. 


LABOUR  not  for  the  meat  which  perisheth,  ^ 
but  for  that  meat  which  endureth  unto  ever- 
lasting life,  which  the  Son  of  man  shall  give  unto 
you  :  for  him  hath  God  the  Father  sealed.  Then 
said  they  unto  him,  What  shall  we  do,  that  we 
might  work  the  works  of  God  ?  Jesus  answered 
and  said  unto  them,  This  is  the  work  of  God,  that 
ye  believe  on  him  whom  he  hath  sent.  They 
said  therefore  unto  him.  What  sign  shewest  thou 
then,  that  we  may  see,  and  believe  thee  ?  v/hat 
dost  thou  work  ?  Our  fathers  did  eat  manna  in 
the  desert;  as  it  is  written.  He  gave  them  bread 
from  heaven  to  eat.  Then  Jesus  said  unto  them, 
Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  j'ou,  Moses  gave  you 
not  that  bread  from  heaven ;  but  my  Father 
giveth  you  the  true  bread  from  heaven.     For  the 


READINGS   FROM 


bread  of  God  is  he  which  cometh  down  from 
heaven,  and  giveth  life  unto  the  world.  Then 
said  they  unto  him,  Lord,  everm^ore  give  us  this 
bread.  And  Jesus  said  unto  them,  I  am  the 
bread  of  life  :  he  that  cometh  to  me  shall  never 
hunger;  and  he  that  believeth  on  me  shall  never 
thirst.  But  I  said  unto  you,  That  ye  also  have 
seen  me,  and  believe  not.  All  that  the  Father 
giveth  me  shall  come  to  me  ;  and  him  that  com.eth 
to  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  For  I  came 
down  from  heaven,  not  to  do  mine  own  will,  but 
the  will  of  him  that  sent  me.  And  this  is  the 
Father's  will  which  hath  sent  me,  that  of  all 
which  he  hath  given  me  I  should  lose  nothing, 
but  should  raise  it  up  again  at  the  last  day.  And 
this  is  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me,  that  every 
one  which  seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  on  him, 
may  have  everlasting  life  :  and  I  will  raise  him 
up  at  the  last  day.  John  vi :  27-40. 


LET  not  your  heart  be  troubled  :  j'-e  believe  in 
God,  believe  also  in  me.  In  my  Father's 
house  are  many  mansions  :  if  it  were  not  so,  I 
would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place 
for  you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you, 
I  will  come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself  ; 
that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also.  And 
vv'hither  I  go  ye  know,  and  the  way  ye  know. 
Thomas  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  we  know  not 
whither  thou  goest ;  and  how  can  we  know  the 
way  ?  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life:  no  m^an  cometh  unto  the 
Father,  but  by  me.  If  ye  had  known  me,  ye 
should  have  known  my  Father  also  :  and  from 
henceforth  ye  know  him,  and  have  seen  him. 
Philip  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  shew  us  the 
Father,  and  it  sufficeth  us.  Jesus  saith  unto  him, 
Have  I  been  so  long  time  with  you,  and  yet 
hast  thou  not  known  me,  Philip,?  he  that  hath 
seen  me  hath  seen  the  Father;  and  how  sayest 
thou  then,  Shev/  us  the  Father  ?     Believest  thou 


THE    BIBLE. 


not  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in 
me  ?  the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you  I  speak 
not  of  myself  ;  but  the  Father  that  dwelleth  in 
me,  he  doeth  the  works.  Believe  me  that  I  am  in 
the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me  :  or  else  believe 
me  for  the  very  works'  sake.  Verily,  verily,  I 
say  unto  you.  He  that  believeth  on  me,  the  works 
that  I  do  shall  he  do  also  ;  and  greater  works 
than  these  shall  he  do  ;  because  I  go  unto  my 
Father.  And  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my 
name,  that  will  I  do,  that  the  Father  may  bQ 
glorified  in  the  Son.  If  ye  shall  ask  any  thing 
in  my  name,  I  will  do  it.  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my 
commandments.  And  I  will  pray  the  Father, 
and  he  shall  give  you  another  Comforter,  that  he 
may  abide  with  you  for  ever  ;  even  the  Spirit  of 
truth  ;  whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because 
it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him  :  but  ye 
know  him  ;  for  he  dwelleth  with  you,  and  shall 
be  in  you.  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless  :  I 
will  come  to  you.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  the 
world  seeth  me  no  more  ;  but  ye  see  me  :  be- 
cause I  live,  ye  shall  live  also.  At  that  day  ye 
shall  know  that  I  am  in  my  Father,  and  ye  in  me, 
and  I  in  you.  He  that  hath  my  commandments, 
and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me:  anti 
he  that  loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father, 
and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to 
him.  .  .  .  These  things  have  I  spoken  unto 
you,  that  my  joy  might  remain  in  you,  and  that 
your  joy  might  be  full.  This  is  my  command- 
ment, That  ye  love  one  another,  as  I  have  loved 
you.  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a 
man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends.  Ye  are  my 
friends,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  j^ou. 
Henceforth  I  call  you  not  servants  ;  for  the  ser- 
vant knoweth  not  what  his  lord  doeth  :  but  I  have 
called  you  friends  ;  for  all  things  that  I  have  heard 
of  my  Father  I  have  made  known  unto  you.  Ye 
have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen  you,  and 
ordained  you,  that  ye  should  go  and  bring  forth 
fruit,  and  that  your  fruit  should  remain:  that 
whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  of  the  Father  in  my 
name,  he  may  give  it  you.     .     .     .     And  in  that 


READINGS   FROM 


day  ye  shall  ask  me  nothing.  Verily,  verily,  I 
say  unto  you,  W^hatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the 
Father  in  my  name,  he  will  give  it  you.  Hitherto 
have  ye  asked  nothing  in  my  name:  ask,  and  ye. 
shall  receive,  that  your  joy  may  be  full.  These 
things  I  have  spoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  ye 
might  have  peace.  In  the  world  ye  shall  have 
tribulation :  but  be  of  good  cheer  ;  I  have  over- 
come the  world.  .  .  .  Peace  I  leave  with  you, 
my  peace  I  give  unto  you :  not  as  the  world 
giveth,  give  I  unto  you.  Let  not  your  heart  be 
troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid.  John  xiv:  1-21; 
XV  :  11-16 ;  xvi :  23,  24,  33  ;  xiv  :  27. 


^  "II^OR  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
A  they  are  the  sons  of  God.  For  ye  have  not 
received  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear ; 
but  ye  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption, 
whereby  we  cry,  Abba,  Father.  The  Spirit  itself 
beareth  witness  with  our  spirit,  that  we  are  the 
children  of  God:  and  if  children,  then  heirs; 
heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ ;  if  so 
be  that  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may  be 
also  glorified  together.  For  I  reckon  that  the 
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy 
to  be  compared^with  the  glory  which  shall  be 
revealed  in  us.  /  For  the  earnest  expectation  of 
the  creature  waiteth  for  the  manifestation  of  the 
sons  of  God.  For  the  creature  was  made  subject 
to  vanity,  not  willingly,  but  by  reason  of  him 
who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  hope,  because 
the  creature  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from 
the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  children  of  God.^  For  we  know 
that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth 
in  pain  together  until  now.  And  not  only  they, 
but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  firstfruits 
of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within 
ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the 
redemption  of  our  body.  For  we  are  saved  by 
hope :  but   hope   that    is   seen   is   not  hope :    for 


THE   BIBLE.  213 


what  a  man  seeth,  why  doth  he  yet  hope  for? 
But  if  we  hope  for  that  we  see  not,  then  do  we 
with  patience  wait  for  it.  Likewise  the  Spirit 
also  helpeth  our  infirmities :  for  we  know  not 
what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought :  but  the 
Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  us  with 
groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered.  '"^iCnd  he 
that  searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth  what  is  the 
mind  of  the  Spirit,  because  he  maketh  inter- 
cession for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of 
God.^  And  we  know  that  all  things  work  to- 
gether for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them^ 
who  are  called  according  to  his  purpose.  I~Fot 
whom  he  did  foreknow,  he  also  did  predestinate 
to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son,  that 
he  might  be  the  firstborn  among  many  brethren. 
Moreover  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he 
also  called  :  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also 
justified:  and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also 
glorified."]  What  shall  we  then  say  to  these 
things?  "If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against 
us  ?  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  de- 
livered him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with 
him  also  freely  give  us  all  things  ?  Who  shall 
lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  It  is 
God  that  justifieth.  Who  is  he  that  condem- 
neth  ?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is 
risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of 
God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us.  Who 
shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  ?  shall 
tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine, 
or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword  ?  As  it  is 
written,  For  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day 
long;  we  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaugh- 
ter."'^ Nay,  in  all  these  things  v/e  are  more  than 
coriquerors  through  him  that  loved  us.  For  I 
am  persuaded,  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor 
angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things 
present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor 
depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to 
separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  Rom.  viii:  14-39. 


214  READINGS  FROM 


lEHOLD,  what  manner  of  love  the  Father 
hath  bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be 
called  the  sons  of  God :  therefore  the  world 
knoweth  us  not,  because  it  knew  him  not.  Be- 
loved, now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it  doth 
not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be  :  but  we  know 
that,  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him  ; 
for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is.  And  every  man 
that  hath  this  hope  in  him  purifieth  himself,  even 
as  he  is  pure.  I  John  iii :  1-3. 


y  '\'KT^  ^^^  troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  dis- 

^  VV     tressed  ;  we  are  perplexed,  but  not  in  des- 

pair; persecuted,  but  not  forsaken;  cast  down, 
but  not  destroyed  ;  always  bearing  about  in  the 
body  the  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  the  life 
also  of  Jesus  might  be  made  manifest  in  our 
body.  For  we  which  live  are  always  delivered 
unto  death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life  also  of 
Jesus  might  be  made  manifest  in  our  mortal 
fiesh.  So  then  death  worketh  in  us,  but  life  in 
you.  We  having  the  same  spirit  of  faith,  ac- 
cording as  it  is  written,  I  believed,  and  therefore 
have  I  spoken ;  we  also  believe,  and  therefore 
speak :  knowing  that  he  which  raised  up  the 
Lord  Jesus  shall  raise  up  us  also  by  Jesus,  and 
shall  present  us  with  you.  For  all  things  are  for 
your  sakes,  that  the  abundant  grace  might 
through  the  thanksgiving  of  many  redound  to  the 
glory  of  God.  For  which  cause  we  faint  not ; 
but  though  our  outward  man  perish,  yet  the  in- 
ward man  is  renewed  day  by  day.  For  our  light 
affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  v/orketh  for 
us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory  ;  while  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are 
seen,  but  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen :  for 
the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal ;  but  the 
things  which  are  not  seen  are  eternal.  For 
we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tab- 
ernacle were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of 
God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal    in 


1 


THE   BIBLE.  215 


the  heavens.  For  in  this  we  groan,  earnestly  de- 
siring to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  house  which  is 
from  heaven :  if  so  be  that  being  clothed  we 
shall  not  be  found  naked.  For  v/e  that  are  in 
this  tabernacle  do  groan,  being  burdened :  not 
for  that  we  would  be  unclothed,  but  clothed  upon, 
that  mortality  might  be  sv/allowed  up  of  life. 
Now  he  that  hath  wrought  us  for  the  selfsame 
thing  is  God,  who  also  hath  given  unto  us  the 
earnest  of  the  Spirit.  Therefore  we  are  alv/ays 
confident,  knowing  that,  whilst  we  are  at  home  in 
the  body,  we  are  absent  from  the  Lord:  (for  we 
walk  by  faith,  not  by  sight  :)  we  are  confident,  I 
say,  and  willing  rather  to  be  absent  from  the 
body,  and  to  be  present  with  the  Lord.  Where- 
fore we  labour,  that,  whether  present  or  absent, 
we  may  be  accepted  of  him.        II  Cor.  iv:  8-v:  g. 


iUT   what   things   were   gain   to   me,   those  I 

counted  loss  for  Christ.  Yea  doubtless,  and 
I  count  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of 
the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord :  for 
whom  I  have  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things,  and 
do  count  them  but  dung,  that  I  may  win  Christ, 
and  be  found  in  him,  not  having  mine  own 
righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,,  but  that 
which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  right- 
eousness which  is  of  God  by  faith  :  that  I  may 
know  him,  and  the  power  of  his  resurrection, 
and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  being  made 
conformable  unto  his  death  ;  if  by  any  means  I 
might  attain  unto  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 
Not  as  though  I  had  already  attained,  either 
were  already  perfect  :  but  I  follow  after,  if  that 
I  may  apprehend  that  for  which  also  I  am  ap- 
prehended of  Christ  Jesus.  Brethren,  I  count 
not  myself  ';o  have  apprehended :  but  this  one 
thing  I  do,  forgetting  those  things  which  are 
behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things 
which    are  before,  I  press    toward  the  mark   for 


216  READINGS  FROM 


the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Let  us  therefore,  as  many  as  be  perfect, 
be  thus  minded  :  and  if  in  any  thing  ye  be  other- 
wise minded,  God  shall  reveal  even  this  unto 
you.  Nevertheless,  whereto  we  have  already 
attained,  let  us  walk  by  the  same  rule,  let  us 
mind  the  same  thing.  Brethren,  be  followers 
together  of  me,   and  mark  them  which   walk    so 

as  ye  have  us  for  an   ensample For 

our  conversation  is  in  heaven  ;  from  whence  also 
we  look  for  the  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  : 
who  shall  change  our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be 
fashioned  like  unto  his  glorious  body,  according 
to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able  even  to  sub- 
due all  things  unto  himself. 


Phil,  iii :  7-17,  20,  21. 


BLESSED  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  which  according  to  his  abun- 
dant mercy  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a  lively 
hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  dead,  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  un- 
defiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in 
heaven  for  you,  who  are  kept  by  the  power  of 
God  through  faith  unto  salvation  ready  to  be 
revealed  in  the  last  time.  Wherein  ye  greatly 
rejoice,  though  now  for  a  season,  if  need  be,  ye 
are  in  heaviness  through  manifold  temptations: 
that  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being  much  more 
precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it 
be  tried  with  fire,  might  be  found  unto  praise 
and  honour  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus 
Christ:  whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love;  in 
whom,  though  now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing, 
ye  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory: 
receiving  the  end  of  your  faith,  even  the  salva- 
tion of  your  souls.  Of  which  salvation  the 
prophets  have  inquired  and  searched  diligently, 
who  prophesied  of  the  grace  that  should  come 
unto  you :    searching  what,   or   what  manner   of 


THE   BIBLE.  217 


time  the  Spirit  of  Christ  which  was  in  them  did 
signify,  when  it  testified  beforehand  the  suffer- 
ings of  Christ,  and  the  glory  that  should  follow. 
Unto  whom  it  was  revealed,  that  not  unto  them- 
selves, but  unto  us  they  did  minister  the  things, 
which  are  now  reported  unto  you  by  them  that 
have  preached  the  gospel  unto  you  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven ;  which  things  the 
angels  desire  to  look  into.  Wherefore  gird  up 
the  loins  of  your  mind,  be  sober,  and  hope  to  the 
end  for  the  grace  that  is  to  be  brought  unto  you 
at  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ;  as  obedient 
children,  not  fashioning  yourselves  according  to 
the  former  lusts  in  your  ignorance  :  but  as  he 
which  hath  called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye  holy  in  all 
manner  of  conversation  ;  because  it  is  written. 
Be  ye  holy;  for  I  am  holy.  And  if  ye  call  on  the 
Father,  who  without  respect  of  persons  judgeth 
according  to  every  man's  work,  pass  the  time  of 
your  sojourning  here  in  fear:  forasmuch  as  ye 
know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corrupt- 
ible things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  your  vain 
conversation  received  by  tradition  from  your 
fathers ;  but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ, 
as  of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot : 
who  verily  was  foreordained  before  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  but  was  manifest  in  these  last 
times  for  you,  who  by  him  do  believe  in  God, 
that  raised  him  up  from  the  dead,  and  gave  him 
glory;  that  your  faith  and  hope  might  be  in  God. 
Seeing  ye  have  purified  your  souls  in  obeying  the 
truth  through  the  Spirit  unto  unfeigned  love  of 
the  brethren,  see  that  ye  love  one  another  with  a 
pure  heart  fervently  :  being  born  again,  not  of 
corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the 
word  of  God,  which  liveth  and  abideth  for  ever. 
For  all  flesh  is  as  grass,  and  all  the  glory  of  man 
as  the  flower  of  grass.  The  grass  withereth,  and 
the  flower  thereof  falleth  away:  but  the  word 
of  the  Lord  endureth  for  ever.  And  this  is  the 
word  which  by  the  gospel  is  preached  unto  you. 

I  Peter  i  :  3-25. 


2i8  READINGS    FROM 


BUT  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things  ; 
and  follow  after  righteousness,  godliness, 
faith,  love,  patience,  meekness.  Fight  the  good 
fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  whereunto 
thou  art  also  called,  and  hast  professed  a  good 
profession  before  many  witnesses.  I  give  thee 
charge  in  the  sight  of  God,  who  quickeneth  all 
things,  and  before  Christ  Jesus,  who  before  Pon- 
tius Pilate  witnessed  a  good  confession ;  that 
thou  keep  this  commandment  without  spot,  un- 
rebukeable,  until  the  appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  :  which  in  his  times  he  shall  shew,  who 
is  the  blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of 
kings,  and  Lord  of  lords ;  who  only  hath  im- 
mortality, dwelling  in  the  light  which  no  man  can 
approach  unto  ;  whom  no  man  hath  seen,  nor  can 
see  :  to  whom  be  honour  and  power  everlasting. 
Amen.  .  .  .  But  watch  thou  in  all  things, 
endure  afflictions,  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist, 
make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry.  For  I  am  now 
ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time  of  my  depature 
is  at  hand.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have 
finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith  :  hence- 
forth there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness, which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shall 
give  me  at  that  day  :  and  not  to  me  only,  but 
unto  all  them  also  that  love  his  appearing. 

I  Tim.  vi :  11-16  and  II  Tim.  iv :  5-8. 


THE  souls  of  the  righteous  are  in  the  hand  of 
God,  and  there  shall  no  torment  touch  them. 
In  the  sight  of  the  unwise  they  seemed  to  die  :  and 
their  departure  is  taken  for  misery,  and  their  go- 
ing from  us  to  be  utter  destruction  :  but  they  are 
in  peace.  For  though  they  be  punished  in  the 
sight  of  men,  yet  is  their  hope  full  of  immortality. 
And  having  Ijeen  a  little  chastised,  they  shall  be 
greatly  rewarded  :  for  God  proved  them,  and 
found  them  worthy  for  himself.  ,  As  gold  in  the 
furnace  hath  he  tried  them,  and  received  them  as 
a  burnt-offering.  And  in  the  time  of  their  visita- 
tion they  shall   shine,    and   run   to   and   fro   like 


THE    BIBLE. 


219 


sparks  among  the  stubble.  They  shall  judge  the 
nations,  and  have  dominion  over  the  people,  and 
their  Lord  shall  reign  for  ever.  Wis.  iii :  1-8. 


THE  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be 
glad  for  them  ;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice, 
and  blossom  as  the  rose.  It  shall  blossom  abun- 
dantly, and  rejoice  even  with  joy  and  singing: 
the  glory  of  Lebanon  shall  be  given  unto  it,  the 
excellency  of  Carmel  and  Sharon,  they  shall  see 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  excellency  of  our 
God.  Strengthen  ye  the  weak  hands,  and  con- 
firm the  feeble  knees.  Say  to  them  that  are  of  a 
fearful  heart.  Be  strong,  fear  not :  behold,  your 
God  will  come  with  vengeance,  even  God  with  a 
recompence  ;  he  will  come  and  save  you.  Then 
the  eyes  of  the  blind  shall  be  opened,  and  the 
ears  of  the  deaf  shall  be  unstopped.  Then  shall 
the  lame  man  leap  as  an  hart,  and  the  tongue  of 
the  dumb  sing :  for  in  the  wilderness  shall  waters 
break  out,  and  streams  in  the  desert.  And  the 
parched  ground  shall  become  a  pool,  and  the 
thirsty  land  springs  of  water  :  in  the  habitation  of 
dragons,  where  each  lay,  shall  be  grass  with 
reeds  and  rushes.  And  an  highway  shall  be 
there,  and  a  way,  and  it  shall  be  called  The  way 
of  holiness;  the  unclean  shall  not  pass  over  it; 
but  it  shall  be  for  those  :  the  wayfaring  men, 
though  fools,  shall  not  err  therein.  No  lion  shall 
be  there,  nor  any  ravenous  beast  shall  go  up 
thereon,  it  shall  not  be  found  there;  but  the  re- 
deemed shall  walk  there  :  and  the  ransomed  of 
the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come  to  Zion  with 
songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads  :  they 
shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and 
sighing  shall  flee  away.  Isaiah  xxxv. 


AFTER    this  I  beheld,  and,  lo,  a  great  multi- 
tude,   which    no    man    could    number,    of    all 
nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues, 


220  READINGS. 

Stood  before  the  throne,  and  before  the  Lamb, 
clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their 
hands  ;  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  Sal- 
vation to  our  God  which  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
and  unto  the  Lamb.  And  all  the  angels  stood 
round  about  the  throne,  and  about  the  elders  and 
the  four  beasts,  and  fell  before  the  throne  on 
their  faces,  and  worshipped  God,  saying.  Amen  : 
Blessing,  and  glory,  and  wisdom,  and  thanksgiv- 
ing, and  honour,  and  power,  and  might,  be  unto 
our  God  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen.  And  one  of  the 
elders  answered,  saying  unto  me.  What  are  these 
which  are  arrayed  in  white  robes  ?  and  whence 
came  they?  And  I  said  unto  him.  Sir,  thou  know- 
est.  And  he  said  to  me.  These  are  they  which 
came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed 
their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb.  Therefore  are  they  before  the  throne 
of  God,  and  serve  him  day  and  night  in  his 
temple :  and  he  that  sitteth  on  the  throne  shall 
dwell  among  them.  They  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more  ;  neither  shall  the  sun 
light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For  the  Lamb 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed 
them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains 
of  waters  :  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes.  Rev.  vii :  9-17. 


NOTE — Other  passages  from  the  Bible  may 
be  found  in  this  book,  as  follows :  Psalm  xxiii, 
page  54  ;  Psalm  xxxix,  page  45 ;  Psalm  xlvi,  page 
53;  Psalm  xc,  page  46;  Psalm  cxxx,  page  32; 
Mark  X  :  13-16,  page  13;  John  iii :  1-8,  page  11; 
I  Cor.  XV  :  20-58,  page  47 ;  Rev.  xxi :  i-xxii :  5, 
page  54. 


